Have you ever had a golf cart die on you during a round of golf? It’s not a pleasant experience. When this happens, it’s usually a controller problem. I didn’t know how it happened, but thankfully one of the marshalls on the course drove by and called for help. A bad controller may be to blame if you find your golf cart acting up while on the course. There are eight common signs and solutions to watch out for. You can ask the staff at the pro-shop about the problem since they are usually the ones who fix club cars. It’s as if your golf cart suddenly slows down.
Have this ever happened to you? You were cruising along the course at high speed and then it suddenly slowed down. It can happen when the accelerator is fully depressed. This is the most common symptom of a bad controller. It’s crucial to solve this problem as quickly as possible. You should pull off of the cart path if you notice that your speed is suddenly slowing. If you find a quiet area, away from other golfers and hit the Tow Mode Button. Check the battery, all the wires and the golf cart’s engine to determine the cause of the problem. The Cart Isn’t Moving as Fast as it Should
Is your golf car losing speed? This could be a sign that your controller is slowly failing. This is similar to problem #1 but is usually more of a gradual slowing than a sudden one.
How to Troubleshoot:
Get to a safe place as soon as possible. Check all wires after parking the golf car. Try hitting the reset button to see if it fixes the problem. Your Golf Cart Won’t Start
Hopefully, this problem happens before your round starts so that you can rent a cart from the pro shop. It’s not always possible to start your golf cart, whether it is electric or gas. If you own an electric golf car and hear a clicking sound when you turn the ignition key, it’s likely a problem with the electrical components. It could be the battery in a gas cart. If your cart has an electrical system, check that all the batteries are charged. Let them charge for some time if they aren’t. Check all battery cables for corrosion or damage. Check to make sure that your cart is not out of fuel. The gas gauge may be faulty and misread. This problem can be dangerous and scary. Your golf cart will suddenly stop while you are driving. Though your cart may start back up when this happens, you need to get to a safe place as soon as possible to troubleshoot the issue.
How to Troubleshoot:
You need to inspect the controller for any type of damage that may be causing it to malfunction. Look at the ignition coil and see if there is anything unusual. If you see any damage to the wires, you can replace them yourself or you can have a technician who is experienced do it. Do not ignore the problem. The problem will never go away on its own. Sudden Speed Bumps While Driving Your Golf Cart
Have your ever driven your golf cart and suddenly it started going faster than usual? This problem may seem kind of fun at first, but it’s a sign that you may need a new controller.
When the controller starts to go bad, you may notice unexpected speed bursts, even if you only have the pedal down about halfway. You may feel as if the golf cart is controlling you, and not vice versa. The golf cart may sprint forward without apparent cause when these symptoms occur. Get off the cart path and to a deserted location before putting the cart in a neutral position for troubleshooting.How to Troubleshoot:
Before anything else, put the golf cart in Tow Mode while you check for further symptoms of controller failure. It’s time to replace the controller if no wires are loose or smaller terminals are visible. If you notice that the steering wheel is shaking while driving, it may be time to change the controller. You may not notice much vibration, but you might hear your bag rattling. This is because the golf cart is stuttering.
How to Troubleshoot:
Any type of shaking or stuttering usually comes down to either a bad controller or a faulty throttle sensor. To ensure maximum safety, switch the maintenance switch into Tow Mode. Remove the black battery wire. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you can replace the controller. Or have a professional examine it. If your controller’s voltage meter is not registering any voltage, it could be time to replace the unit. Try resetting the controller using the steps below. A controller is like your computer; it needs to be rebooted every so often for peak performance.
How to Troubleshoot:
Resetting the controller is a rather simple process. Put your golf cart into neutral and turn the key switch to the OFF position. Set the tow switch on low.Remove the negative battery cable from the battery set. Flip the reverse switch and the tow switch on RUN. The key switch should now be in the ON position. Now that you’ve successfully reset your controller, click on
8. The Operation Light Starts Flashing Repeatedly
This is another telltale sign of a controller that’s starting to go bad. If the light starts flashing like crazy, pull over and research what the code means. If the light starts flashing like crazy, pull over and research what the code means.
How To Troubleshoot:
Seeing the operation light come on is never a good feeling. There’s no need to panic. As we saw in symptom no., the controller might just need to reset. Try resetting your controller. You may have to buy a new control if that does not clear the code. Mike Noblin
Mike is involved in sports for more than 30 years. He has been a golfer for over 10 years. He is also obsessed with the Golf Channel, and takes notes every day. He has a degree in Sports Psychology.