Club Car DS - Sudden Loss Of Power

[mikestallings]

I have a 94 Club Car DS and my neighbor owns a 96 DS. We have both experienced sudden loss of power. The cart costs to a stop and we shut off the ignition and turn it on again and off we go. My car has about 2 year old batteries, the other has 18 month batteries. Both golf carts are fully charged, clean terminals, good cables. I cleaned the ignition contacts on mine. We are baffled. Any suggestions? Thanks, Mike S

 

[dougmcp]

Are these both 36v resistor carts?
Are they lifted with large tires?

 

[mikestallings]

Yes, both are 36 volt. No neither are lifted. Just standard stock golf carts.

 

[shadowman]

What brand batteries? There are golf cart batteries out there that 18 months is all you'll get. Have you tested and load tested batteries? Is distilled water level good?

 

[mikestallings]

My cart has the 2 yr old Trojans. I believe the other cart has walmarts. I have load tested mine, all are good with volt-ohm meter and load test. Mike S

 

[mikestallings]

Sorry, read the last half of your message, yes, carts filled, but not overfilled with distilled water. Mike S

 

[dirtysouth]

Not a 36 volt resistor guy, but do both carts take off and run after you turn the key off and back on again? If so I would be looking at a solenoid maybe? Doug knows his stuff, give him a minute.

 

[mikestallings]

When my cart does lose power, I stop the cart, turn the key off and after 1-2 seconds, turn key back on. So far that has worked and the cart then runs with no further problems. The power loss has occured while starting from a dead stop and also while driving down the road at speed. I just recently purchased the cart and it has happened 4-5 time over the past 3 weeks.Mike s

 

[dougmcp]

Try putting a 6ga jumper across the 2 large posts on the solenoid and see if the problem will repeat. If it runs great without issues, replace the solenoid.
If the problem continues, check the wiring to and contacts on the throttle switch.
When a resistor cart is running at full speed, the resistors are out of the circuit and power goes directly to the motor through the throttle switch.

 

[mikestallings]

Thanks, Doug. I'll try this tomorrow and let you know. Mike S

 

[JRay]

I have had some experience with these 36 volt carts, vglide resistor carts. I would have to say looks like a solenoid problem. I would also check to see if the resitor coils are not broken or touching.

 

[mikestallings]

Well I put the jumper on the solenoid today. I used a short battery cable. Later I experienced another sudden loss of power. This time I was driving at night and had the headlights on, probably not relevant. I'll try to look at the accelerator switch soon. I really appreciate all the comments. Thanks, Mike S