How to Troubleshoot a Golf Cart Charging System

Golf carts are useful in many places other than the golf course. Some golf carts serve as security vehicles, hunters use them, they help people get from one end of the airport to the other with luggage, and they have become a comfortable means of travel for the elderly in senior gated communities. Along with the increase in visibility of the golf cart in our culture, issues of maintenance has created a new niche in auto repair and maintenance. Golf cart troubleshooting can be as expensive as with your car if you don't know what to look for yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • Spare battery charger
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the battery of the electric golf cart. Look at the battery cables, terminals and battery case for worn straps. Any troubleshooting of the charging system must begin with the battery. After checking the battery connections, pry the cap off the battery cells with a flat-head screwdriver.

    • 2

      Look to see if you see liquid. You should see some. If the color of the liquid is brown and rusty, then you need a new battery. If the liquid is clear or white, then the battery is fine.

    • 3

      Add water to the battery if you can't see the water level. Water needs to cover the plates in the battery. It is important that you use only distilled water. Distilled water is purified and free of corrosive particles that can damage the internal workings of the battery.

    • 4

      Read the meter on the battery charger when you plug the electric golf cart into the charger system. If the needle on the meter does not move, then the charger isn't working properly. A properly working charger will read as high as 20 amps while charging.