An E-Z-GO speed controller is a crucial component of an electric golf cart. It’s part of the precision drive system of PDS. This system is an advanced technology used in modern golf carts. It provides precise control over the acceleration, power, and speed of the cart. Hence, a controller is responsible for controlling the amount of power from batteries reaching the motor of the cart.
In other words, it controls how fast an electric cart can move. However, when this speed controller becomes defective, it becomes difficult to maintain constant acceleration or speed. In rare cases, the vehicle stops working. Therefore, it is necessary to repair the golf cart’s speed controller.
A Step-by-step Guide To Fix E-Z-GO Speed Controller
This guide aims to provide you the step-by-step instructions to fix E-Z-GO golf cart speed controllers. It is highly recommended to take professional assistance to repair it. However, if you are willing to do it by yourself, don’t worry. This article will help you in fixing the controller in 5 easy steps. Let’s delve into the topic and get a deep understanding of how to restore the functioning of your E-Z-GO golf cart:
Activate the Maintenance Button
A maintenance button is a crucial component of an electric golf cart maintenance system. It is responsible for switching the cart from run mode to tow mode. The tow mode makes the cart free from the engagement of the motor. Hence, it is vital to turn off the maintenance switch before repairing the controller. This step avoids accidents due to the working of the motor during maintenance. To activate the maintenance button, use these instructions:
- Disconnect the battery power to ensure safety.
- Locate the maintenance switch. It is mainly located near the battery and on the controller’s module. You can identify it by its small recessed shape.
- After identification, use a paperclip to switch on the maintenance button and press it for at least 5 to 15 seconds.
- The previous step will reset the E-Z-GO golf cart speed controller.
Disconnect the Battery Cord
Whenever you embark on repairing the speed controller, make sure you prioritize safety. Just wearing safety gear is not enough. You have to disconnect all the power connections from the controller. This will prevent potential hazards of the automatic running of the engine while repairing. To disconnect the battery cord, follow the following techniques:
- Make sure the cart is turned off.
- Access the E-Z-GO speed controller in the golf cart. It is typically located near the motor of the engine.
- Now, identify the negative battery cord. It has either black color or a negative sign on it.
- After identification, remove the negative cable from the battery terminal.
- This will disconnect the power supply to the speed controller of the controller. Thus, ensuring the safe repair of its components.
Inspect the Wiring
Inspecting the internal wiring of the speed controller is a crucial step in repairing it. This is because the speed controller needs optimal power for its smooth functioning. If any connection is loose or damaged, the controller fails to get enough power. Hence, this step is essential to restore the functions of the controller safely. After you have successfully removed the power cord from the battery, you can now examine the wires. For this purpose, use these tricks:
- To examine the internal wiring of the controller, remove the cover to access the internal parts.
- Once the cover is removed, carefully inspect the wires. Check for signs of damage, burnout, or loose wires.
- Pay more attention to the melted insulation. There might be a short circuit in the internal wiring.
- Secure the loose wires firmly in their place. Replace the damaged wires using a manual guide or with the help of a technician.
Check the Solenoid
A solenoid is also an important electric component of the E-Z-GO golf cart. It is responsible for ensuring the optimal flow of current from the battery to the speed controller. However, sometimes when it is defective, its symptoms look like that of a defective speed controller. Therefore, the solenoid needs to be checked to see if it is defective or the starter. To check the solenoid, use the following instructions:
- Locate the golf cart’s solenoid. It is present near the battery or the speed controller.
- Examine all the connections in the solenoid. Check if any wire is broken, loose, or corrosive. Replace the wire, if any.
- Clean the terminals of the solenoid to make sure that they are securely in place.
- Perform a voltage test on the solenoid using the multimeter. Also, take the voltage reading from the battery. If both readings are the same, the solenoid is defective.
Examine the Power Outcome
The power output provided by the E-Z-GO golf cart speed controller is responsible for providing efficient speed. If the outcome of the adjuster is inadequate, the golf cart will not run smoothly. Before examining the power outcome, conduct a thorough inspection of all the damaged or burned wires. After you have done inspecting the wires, follow these steps to examine the power output of the controller:
- Check the voltage of the speed controller using the multimeter. For this purpose, attach the probes of the multimeter to the terminals of the adjuster. Connect negative prob with M terminal and positive probe with B+ terminal.
- Without pressing the accelerator of the cart, take the reading of the multimeter. Its initial reading should be zero.
- Now press the accelerator gradually. When you do this, the reading on the multimeter should increase gradually with the accelerator being pressed. The power output of the controller should be equal to the voltage of the battery.
- However, if the reading of the multimeter remains zero, the speed controller is defective. So, replace it immediately.
In short, E-Z-GO golf carts are durable and popular electric vehicles. So you don’t have to face issues like this. But when you have to repair the controller, make sure you prioritize safety. Moreover, you follow all the instructions carefully. If you find any difficulty, call the manufacturer or get the help of a professional technician.