How to Test and Bypass EZGO Golf Cart Solenoid (STEPS) | Golf Storage Ideas (2024)

EZGO bad solenoid symptoms

When it comes to an EZGO golf cart, the solenoid can be damaged at any specific point. And, to recognize the problem, it is important to look out for common symptoms. Symptoms can change from time to time and, also electric and gas carts can have separate symptoms.

Disengaging of starter:

To start the flywheel, the starter is engaged. After this, it should disengage automatically. If it does not disengage, then this is a sure sign of a solenoid issue.

Cart not starting:

If the start does not get started after pressing the ignition, it can be due to a solenoid failure.

Irregular starter function:

If the starter gets stuck or stops working in the midst, it can be due to connection problems with the solenoid.

Clicking sound:

If while pressing the ignition, the cart makes a clicking sound, but the cart does not start, then it can be due to faulty or damaged wiring in the solenoid.

How to test the solenoid on an EZGO golf cart?

If the gold cart shows certain bad solenoid symptoms like not starting, no clicking sound, or starter disengaging, it is better to test the solenoid. You can test the solenoid by simply disconnecting the main circuit high wires and by using a multimeter.

1. Disconnect two large terminal cables and wrap the ends with electrical tape to avoid any sudden accident.
2. Shut the key off and also put the car in no mobility neutral position. Take two probes of the voltmeter, put them on the large terminals, and check the readings.
3. The voltmeter readings should be 0 ohms.
4. Now, switch on the key and put the direction is forward, and step on the accelerator. After the click sound, put the probe on large terminals and check the readings.
5. The voltmeter readings should be around 0-0.4 ohms and not more than that. If more than the solenoid needs to be replaced.
6. If there is no click sound, then step on the accelerator and put the probes on smaller terminals.
7. The voltmeter should be optimized to volts in 200 scales.
8. Now, check the readings. If the voltmeter shows full battery readings, then the solenoid has gone bad.
9. If the reading is at zero, then the problem is not with the solenoid but somewhere else.

EZGO RXV solenoid test

If one is driving an EZGO RXV and the cart is not working anymore, there can be several underlying reasons. But a bad solenoid can be the most common one. Always check the battery voltage and the clicking sound while pressing on the pedal.

The steps to troubleshoot a EZGO RXV cart are:

1. First, check the connections and wires of the main circuit.
2. Remove the negative terminal wires and then remove the connector cover.
3. Now, again connect the negative terminal wire.
4. Put the cart’s rear on the jack stand to secure it.
5. Now, take the voltmeter, negative terminal and connect the same to the battery’s negative terminal.
6. Now, attach the positive terminal of the battery to the positive terminal of the voltmeter.
7. Now switch on the cart and shift gear to forward.
8. Check the voltmeter reading. It should be around 36-28 volts in a freedom EZGO RXV cart.
9. Now, take the probe and put it on the controller side of the solenoid. The deviation should not be more than 3 volts.
10. If the deviation is more than 3 volts, then remove the resistor and again put the probe on the controller side.
11. If the reading is equivalent to the battery pack voltage value, then the solenoid needs to be changed.

EZGO TXT solenoid test

Testing the EXGO TXT solenoid is usually an easy process and can be done by anybody who knows the golf cart mechanics. The testing process is almost similar in all TXT carts, and one can find more details in the user manuals for every model of each year.

Steps to test the EZGO TXT solenoid:

1. First, check the battery of the cart and get a battery pack value. It should in and around 12 V.
2. Secondly, check the accelerator micro switch and the key switch of the central circuit to check the solenoid’s connectivity.
3. Take a voltmeter and connect the red terminal to the battery –ve terminal.
4. Now take the voltmeter’s black probe and connect it to the battery side large incoming power terminal.
5. The voltmeter should read a voltage that is near the battery pack value.
6. Now take the same probe and connect it to the outgoing side large terminal and check the voltage. It should be zero.
7. After switching on the key and the microswitch, the battery voltage should be seen when the probe is kept on either terminal.
8. If there is no reading, then the problem could be with the solenoid.

How to replace the solenoid on the EZGO golf cart?

The solenoid of the EZGO cart can get damaged due to many reasons. One can check the solenoid’s condition and if, it is damaged, then simply unplug the solenoid and connect a new one in its place.

Causes of solenoid going bad:

• Too much heat passing through.
• Microswitches are not working.
• Wear and tear.
• Age of the solenoid.
• Wrong connection wiring.
• Corrosion in the lines and terminals.

Advice on replacing the solenoids:

If the solenoid is not working after checking and testing the solenoid using a voltmeter, then it is time to replace the solenoid all together.

• Always be sure of the model and year of the cart.
• Check online to get all specifications.
• Compare the online picture of the new solenoid with the older one.
• Always follow the instruction in the user manual.

Steps to replace the solenoid:

1. Unplug the negative terminal connected to batteries and remove the controller cover.
2. Disconnect the controller and the solenoid.
3. Take a wench; loosen the smaller terminals and then the bigger terminals from the solenoid.
4. Now, loosen the bolts on the solenoid and remove it.
5. After this, take the new solenoid and place it in the placeholder.
6. Connect the smaller and bigger wire terminals and reconnect the solenoid and controller together

How to bypass solenoid on an EZGO golf cart?

Sometimes, a person may not have a multimeter or a voltmeter with them. Therefore, to check the solenoid, you can connect the large wires into the solenoid together and see if the cart starts.

If the cart starts, then the solenoid is the problem and, if it does not, then the problem is not solenoid but something else.

A cart owner should remember that bypassing the solenoid can damage the ignition system and central circuit of the cart. Also, bypassing should only be used for checking the solenoid and not permanently.

Tips:

• Always check the central circuit before doing anything.
• Lift the rear wheel on a jack stand.
• Have a fire extinguisher handy.
• Take help from a mechanic in the case of an electric golf cart.
• Give the proper check to the microswitch.

Steps to bypass the solenoid in EZGO golf cart:

1. Take the controller cover after disconnecting the negative terminals of the battery.
2. Now, disconnect the larger wires from the solenoid.
3. After this, connect the high side wires and large wires terminals bypassing the solenoid.
4. Try starting the cart. If the cart starts, then the problem is a solenoid.
5. If the cart doesn’t start, then the problem is elsewhere and not the solenoid.

How to jump EZGO solenoid?

Checking the solenoids and if it requires replacement can be big decisions. Sometimes, it can take up a lot of time to check if the solenoid has gone bad. The best way to do so is by jumpstarting the cart by jumping the solenoid altogether.

Steps to jump the solenoid:

1. Check the solenoid of the cart.
2. Remove the controller cover.
3. Disconnect the large side wires connected to the solenoid.
4. Now, join the two wires with each other.
5. Try starting the cart.

Advice:

Here the formula is simple; if one thinks that the solenoid is damaged, then jump the solenoid from the circuit and check.

• If the cart starts then, the problem could be the solenoid.
• If the cart doesn’t start even after jumping the solenoid, then the issue lies somewhere else and not in the solenoid.

Tips:

• Always make sure that the connections are tight and well connected.
• There shouldn’t be any loose wires anywhere.
• Make sure that the cart is in neutral and is secured by a jack stand.
• There should be a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Take help from a mechanic if need be.

Why EZGO solenoid gets hot?

If the EZGO cart solenoid is getting hot while running, then the problem may be somewhere in the circuit or in the solenoid itself. It is better to replace the solenoid if the damage is extensive.

Advice:

• If the cart solenoid is getting hot, then the problem can be with the solenoid or the circuit wiring.
• It is better to check the solenoid thoroughly.
• Use proper solenoid, which matches the amperage and voltage of the cart system.
• Use high-quality solenoid to avoid the heating problem.
• Always check the wiring and reduce resistance.

Causes of a heated up EZGO cart solenoid:

• Using a higher amperage wire for a stock solenoid can cause the solenoid to get overheated.
• Having a low capacity solenoid in a high capacity or modified cart can be the problem as well.
• Maybe the wiring is lost or old.
• High resistance can be one of the issues causing overheating.
• Excessive corrosion on the terminals can also lead to overheating of the solenoid.

Why is EZGO solenoid not clicking?

When the solenoid is getting checked, then the solenoid will either make a click sound or no sound while starting the cart using the key.

A EZGO golf cart that is not making a clicking sound can be due to a failed solenoid.

If there is no sound in the cart while igniting the switch, then the problem can be the cart’s control circuitry. This means the solenoid has stopped working. Then it is required to replace the solenoid.

How to check?

• Remove the controller cover and then take a voltmeter.
• Connect the red wire to the battery negative terminal.
• Now, take the probe and put on the controller side a large terminal. It should tell the battery pack value voltage.
• Now, check the supplier side large terminal. It should be zero. If not, then there is a problem.
• Now start the cart and see if there is a clicking sound.
• No clicking sound means a failed solenoid.

EZGO TXT solenoid not clicking

If the EZGO TXT solenoid is not clicking, then the problem can be with the circuitry, the wiring connections, or the solenoid itself.

Some of the reasons behind why EZGO solenoid is not clicking

• Corroded F&R connections.
• Unclean high energy connections.
• No power supply to F&R microswitch.
• Damaged activation circuit.

EZGO PDS solenoid not clicking

While starting the EZGO PDS, if there are no clicking sounds, then the problem can be either with the wiring or the solenoid has gone bad and needs to be replaced.

Some of the reasons behind a solenoid not clicking:

• The main reason could be the faulty wire connections in the solenoid.
• Using the wrong solenoid that does not fit the amperage of the cart.
• Corrosion or old wires in the circuit.
• Damaged solenoid, which requires replacement.

Why is the EZGO solenoid constantly clicking?

When the cart is switched on and put forward, the solenoid starts clicking continuously instead of only ones. Then, it can be a problem related either to the solenoid or the wiring.

Some of the reasons behind continuously clicking are:

• Maybe the controller is getting energized.
• There may be a build-up of dust inside the controller box.
• Wrong wiring can be one of the causes, as it can cause positive power supply making the solenoid click continuously.
• The solenoid is damaged and needs to be changed.

What does a diode do on a solenoid?

The solenoid is a major part of the electric cart, where it makes sure that there is an electromagnetic field for the controller to work and make contact. However, the diode, on the other hand, acts as a protective layering that stops the solenoid from getting damaged.

• The diode is used around the contactor coil of the solenoid.
• When the electricity passes through the solenoid, it creates an electromagnetic field.
• This field makes the controller work.
• But, when the electricity stops, there is usually a major rise in voltage.
• This voltage, if not controlled, can cause damage to the controller.
• Diode absorbs this voltage uprise and keeps the solenoid and controller safe.
• The diode is placed between the smaller terminals of the solenoid.
• Wrong placement can blow the diode up.

EZGO has no power to solenoid

Sometimes, after changing the solenoid or due to bad wiring, it is possible to get no power in the solenoid’s voltage terminals. It is crucial to give a thorough check before buying a new one.

Main reasons behind no power to solenoid:

• Bad solenoid
• Bad continuity in the key switch
• Bad continuity in V-glide
• Bad connection in FR switches.

How to test:

1. Remove the wires from the solenoid.
2. Remove the diode and restorer from the solenoid.
3. Remove the negative terminal from the battery.
4. Take the voltmeter probes and place them on the large terminals of the solenoid.
5. There should be 0-continuity.
6. Use jumper wires and attach them to the battery positive and negative to small terminals.
7. There should be a click sound, and the continuity should increase.
8. If these things do not happen, then the solenoid is damaged and needs to be replaced.

EZGO RXV solenoid location

The solenoid is useful in starting and running a golf cart regardless of whether it is gas or electric.

If you want to check if the solenoid’s working or replace it, it is crucial to know exactly where it is located.

• The solenoid is located inside the controller box connected to it.
• And the controller box is placed under the seat of the EZGO golf cart.
• Lift the seat and remove the covering.
• Next, you will see a small box connected through four wires (2 small and two large).

EZGO 36 volt solenoid wiring diagram

Wiring diagrams of the circuits are highly important when joining a circuit through several wires and connectors. Solenoid wiring diagrams are highly useful when one wants to install a new solenoid or want to test the circuitry.

• A wiring diagram will help in understanding the connections.
• It will decide the chances of faulty wiring.
• Wiring diagrams will show the path between the batteries and the motor.

EZGO TXT solenoid upgrade

Upgrading the solenoid will allow upgrading the entire golf cart. However, one can upgrade the solenoid even when the stock solenoid is not doing its job properly.

• Upgrading the solenoid will help in making the cart powerful.
• The upgraded solenoid can match the controller amperage.
• If the solenoid is damaged or does not match the other components, the solenoid can also be upgraded.
• Look for proper solenoid with the right features to make sure that the up-gradation works.

Why EZGO PDS solenoid is not clicking

EZGO PDS solenoid clicks when the key is switched on. If there are no clicking sounds, then the chances are that there is no connection or the solenoid is damaged.

• If there is excessive corrosion or dust accumulation in the terminals of the solenoid.
• If the wires are not connected properly.
• If the current flow is stopping or is not enough.
• If the solenoid is bad and needs a replacement.

Why EZGO RXV solenoid is not clicking

Not clicking of the solenoid while going forward or backward on a golf cart tells some problem in the activation circuit or solenoid.

• The bad microswitch can cause a faulty circuit.
• Check the wiring for any mismatch or corrosion.
• Low amperage and bad connection can lead to a “no clicking” sound.