The club Car brand is the go-to brand for golf enthusiasts. Club Car golf carts provide the perfect solution as a means of transportation to easily navigate the golf course. Club Car understands that people have different priorities and as such their golf carts are designed to cater for the needs of the wider market. To do this Club Car offers two alternative models for their golf carts; these are the gasoline powered and the electric powered Club Car golf cart. These two alternative models allow the customer to choose what best suits their needs. The Club Car golf carts are machines and eventually machines do breakdown and fail due to several factors and as such troubleshooting the golf cart is necessary to in order to ensure the Club Car Golf Cart functions as intended.
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What is troubleshooting and why is it needed?
Troubleshooting is the process of checking and verifying to ensure all the components of the Club Car Golf Cart are performing as intended, it involves systematically testing the current state of each component in the golf cart. The operational state of the engine, electrical components, batteries and other components degrade over time and as a result the entire Club Car golf cart could be rendered absolute due to the failure of a few several components. Trouble shooting reduces the likely hood of total golf cart failure. When trouble shooting several components of the golf cart need to be inspected and these will be discussed below.
Safety First
Whenever handling or trouble shooting mechanical and electrical components of the Club Car golf cart safety needs to be a priority. The following protocols need to be observed
Wear personal protective equipment such as safety googles, protective gloves, a work suit and also safety shoes with metal toe caps. These items protect from the dangers of toxic gases, electrocution, falling objects, corrosive substances and other health hazards associated with the troubleshooting of the Club Car golf cart.
Steps in troubleshooting the Electric Club Car Golf Cart
The first step when troubleshooting the Club Car electric golf Cart is to ensure that it is powered off. Ensure power to the motor and other electronic components is switched off by disconnecting the battery from the golf cart. Also ensure the golf cart is held stationary, this includes activating the parking brake on the top left corner of the brake pedal and choking the front and rear wheels then raising the golf cart using jack stands.
Place the Tow/Run switch in the tow position before disconnecting or connecting the battery terminals of the Club Car golf cart battery as failure to do this could result in explosion of the Club car battery.
Pace the forward revers key on neutral to ensure any motion of the Club Car golf cart is arrested if power is accidentally supplied.
1. Battery
If the Club Car golf cart refuses to start one problem could be the battery and as such when troubleshooting the battery first, ensure the battery charger is functioning properly by plugging it into the charging port below the forward reverse switch. An indication light below the steering column will flash three times and the reverse buzzer will sound simultaneously to indicate the start of a charge session.
– In the battery itself to troubleshoot check any wiring for loose or damaged connections.
-The next step in troubleshooting the club Car golf cart battery is checking the battery pack voltage using a voltmeter to ensure it delivers 48 V. if the voltage is less check individual batteries. Also check the electrolyte level using a hydrometer.
2. Driver motor and Trans Axle
The Club Car electric golf cart uses an electric motor and a trans axle with a double reduction helical gear with 12.3: 1 direct axle drive to provide power to the wheels as such these need to troubleshoot to ensure optimum condition. Allow trained personnel to at least once every year fill the trans axle with oil up to the plug level with 22fl-oz lubricant. Also, trouble shoot the motor to see if there are any burnt windings.
3. Brake system
To troubleshoot the Club Car electric golf cart brakes after every 50 hours of operation check the brake shoes and replace, if necessary, also lubricate the brake system per Club Car ‘s recommended lubrication schedule. The following step in the Club Car brake troubleshooting process is checking brake cables for damage and replacing if necessary and also checking the brake cable equalizer and adjusting if necessary.
Steps in troubleshooting the Gasoline Club Car Golf Cart
To avoid starting the Club Car golf cart engine when troubleshooting, disconnect the battery and spark plug wire. Do not allow tools or other objects to have contact with the frame when disconnecting battery cables or other electrical wiring. Also don’t allow a positive wire to touch the vehicle frame, engine or any other component as this could short the battery. Clean the battery terminals and wash dirt from casing and also apply battery terminal protector spray.
1. Engine
The Club Car gasoline golf cart uses a combustion engine to produce driving power as such when troubleshooting the Club Car golf cart check for leaks around gaskets and fill plugs. The next step at least once every 100 hours of operation is to inspect, clean and recap spark plug and carry out any replacements if necessary. Also check the engine air filter element and check clamps for tightness and check the horse for cracks.
2. Engine oil
The engine oil also needs to be checked monthly and this can be conventionally by checking the low oil warning light on the dash or checking the level using a dip stick. The engine should be off when trouble shooting or checking the oil level. Engine oil in the Club Car golf cart should be changed after 100hours of operation then after that it can be done annually or after 200 hours of operation.
3. Forward/reverse Control
The Club Car golf cart uses a forward reverse switch to switch between the three driving modes: forward, reverse and neutral, hence troubleshoot the handle to ensure it operates as intended especially after some maintenance has been done on the component. One way of ensuring the control works without moving the golf cart is putting the handle in the reverse mode, the reverse buzzer should sound a warning to inform you that the Club Car golf cart is in reverse mode.
4. Tires
The tires are one of the most important components of the golf cart as such they should be inspected.
The tires are the ones that develop traction with the ground to propel the Club Car golf cart forward hence they should be checked to ensure they have the accurate tire pressure and they are not punctured. Also troubleshoot or check tire treads for wear as these allow friction to hold the golf cart so that it does not slip on the ground. Also troubleshoot the shocks and suspension system to ensure they are in optimum operating condition as these are responsible for the ride quality and comfort in the Club Car golf cart.
5. Brake system
When troubleshooting the Club Car golf cart check the brake pedal, and parking brake to ensure they can hold the golf cart stationary when activated. The Club car golf cart parking brake should be able to hold the golf cart stationary on an incline of 20% or less. It should also be able to release when the accelerator pedal is depressed. Using the brakes, the golf cart should come to a smooth stop with moderate pressure on the brakes. If the golf cart swerves, fails to stop or comes to an abrupt stop and also if it produces a grinding or squeaking noise have the breaks checked out and troubleshoot by a trained professional.