FIXED! - 36v EZGO Will Not Move And Solenoid Is Not Clicking

Encountering an unexpected issue where your 36V EZGO golf cart refuses to move while the solenoid doesn’t make a single noise, can be concerning. Especially given the reputation of EZGO carts which excel in their efficiency and cruising capabilities, it’s crucial to understand the potential causes behind this threatening and confusing issue.

The most common reasons for 36v EZGO not moving and solenoid not clicking include battery issues like a dead battery or loose battery terminals, faulty solenoids, malfunctioning key switch, and so on.

However these issues are fixable and the golf cart can be brought back to life by replacing the battery or solenoid, tightening the loose wirings, and many other ways.

Hence, I cover all the causes behind 36v EZGO Will Not Move And Solenoid Is Not Clicking problems and also the things you can do to avert this problem right away. Here are the common possible reasons that cause your golf cart to stop and solenoid clicking-

1. The Battery is Dead or Malfunctioning for Low Voltage

Whenever a golf cart is not moving, especially with the solenoid not clicking, it’s mostly battery issues, which might be the same case for your 36V EZGO not moving. In this case, when the voltage drops below the required level in a battery, it impacts the performance of the motor controller and fails to function properly. This initially leads to your EZGO golf cart not moving.

When battery voltage is the cause, you’ll spot some common symptoms-

Your 36V EZGO won’t move at all
Either sluggish or erratic movement of the cart
Motor performance is inconsistent
Your EZGO golf cart isn’t responding to the attempt to move

Fixes for low Voltage in battery-

Disconnect the battery terminals and turn the power off of your 36V EZGO cart. Make sure the key stays in the off position.
Test out each battery separately by using a multimeter to measure the voltage. Make sure it’s set on the “DC” setting.
Connect both the positive and negative voltage probes to each of the consecutive positive and negative terminals of one battery.
See what voltage reading is displayed and follow the same process for every battery.
If the voltage reading comes below 6 volts, then it has to be replaced.
Check if the battery connections are secure, if not then tighten it slowly.
After inspection, if the batteries do not work, replace them with a repurchased battery that matches the required voltage specifications.
While the batteries are viable, recharge them completely.
After you successfully reconnect the battery terminals, perform a re-test by turning on the vehicle and see if its performance has improved.

If you don’t have experience with working on batteries, it’s better to seek a professional. They will do the inspection and reform the necessary tests for you after the repair.

2. Key Switch is Not Working

The key switch in your golf cart is important as it serves as a gateway to the whole electrical system. It’s vital as it ensures that your cart is turning on and off at the same time. Hence, problems with the key switch mean the electricity isn’t flowing through your vehicle. As a result, it eventually causes your EZGO not to work and prevents the solenoid from functioning properly.

When the key switch causes your 36V EZGO not to move, the following symptoms will pop out

The key is not moving
Your cart is not starting after turning the key
No response when trying to move
Silent electrical system

Fixes for faulty key switch-

Reach out to the dashboard where the key switch is located.
Make sure the key switch remains in the ‘’off’’ position and disconnect the terminals.
Check if there’s any unusual stiffness or resistance when turning the key.
Check if the key aligns properly with the ignition switch.
See if the key switch has any signs of corrosion or not.
If the above 3 points come positive, then the key switch is faulty and will have to be replaced.
Take a multimeter and check the continuity of the key switch, if it doesn’t then it’s faulty.
Replace the key switch with a new compatible key switch with the help of a professional.

The key switch is mostly not the center of attention when the 36V EZGO golf cart doesn’t move, but it’s a common reason why you might be facing the issue in the first place. If your inspection test comes negative, seek help from a professional and repair the key switch.

3. Solenoid is Damaged

The power flow of the battery to the motor is controlled by the solenoid in your 36V EZGO golf cart. Solenoid is the reason why your golf cart functions smoothly and also why it starts or moves. That’s why, when a solenoid is damaged or faulty, it stops clicking and prevents your cart from starting.

Symptoms you’ll come across when the solenoid is damaged or faulty-

On attempting to start your EZGO cart, there’s no clicking sound.
Golf cart starts inconsistently
Upon trying to accelerate, your EZGO cart shows a lack of power.

Fixes for solenoid issues-

Keep the key in the Off position and make sure the battery terminals are disconnected.
Check if there are any loose connections with the solenoid. Tighten the wires and retest the solenoid.
Check if there’s any visible damage or corrosion. Clean the corrosion using a wire brush.
Inspect if any unusual smell like burning transpires or not. If so, it indicates internal solenoid damage and will need a replacement immediately.
For a continuity test, run the solenoid on a multimeter. Make sure your multimeter is set on the “ohms” setting.
You will find a small and a large terminal of the solenoid that’s connected to the battery. Place a probe on each of the terminals and see if the reading shows 0 ohms or makes a beeping noise. If it doesn’t, that means the solenoid is faulty and will need a replacement.
Get professional help to replace the solenoid who will also perform a re-test and ensure performance check.

Solenoids are a crucial component of your EZGO golf cart, be it 36V or 48V. Hence, If you find a damaged solenoid, take it to the mechanic as soon as possible to get it replaced and it will solve the problem.

4. Forward/Reverse Switch Stopped Working

The component that’s in charge of controlling the direction of your 36V EZGO is the forward/reverse switch. It’s the key factor that allows your cart to seamlessly transition forward and backward while providing maneuvering. A faulty forward/reverse switch means disruption in direction, which often stops the entire golf cart from functioning as a whole and you end up encountering your EZGO stopping.

Signs of a faulty forward/reverse switch include-

Unable to change the direction as desired
On the attempt to switch direction, your golf cart’s movements are unpredictable or erratic
The switch is giving unresponsive behavior
The solenoid is not making any noise

Fixes for a faulty forward/reverse switch–

Locate the switch first. You should find it near the seat, right by the driver’s seat.
Locate the lever that operates the switch and inspect a basic test of whether Turning the switch allows you to switch between reverse or forward modes. Observe and see if the cart moves forward or backward. If it doesn’t, it means the switch is not working.
If the switch doesn’t work, inspect the wires and check if there are any loose connections. If there are loose wires, connect them with the terminals properly.
Check if the wires that connect the switches are damaged or not.
Inspect if there are any signs of corrosion on the wires.
If the wires are corroded or damaged, replace the switches immediately before further damage.
Seek professional help for replacing a forward/reverse switch and upon repair, your EZGO should go back to normal.

Usually, the forward/ reverse switch can be corrected by oneself, however, if you find it damaged, get a replacement as soon as possible as operating it on faulty switches will cause harm to your cart.

5. The Motor Controller is Defective

The motor controller is another culprit that might be causing your 36V EZGO golf cart to stop movement and why the solenoid doesn’t click. That’s because it’s the key part that controls the speed and helps regulate the Motor’s speed and power. Hence, when there’s unpredictable motor behavior, your EZGO golf cart stops moving.

What you’ll encounter when your golf cart has a defective motor controller-

Your motor performance will become unpredictable, like suddenly accelerating or decelerating.
Failure to maintain a steady speed.
Erratic cart movement.
The golf cart not moving on multiple attempts.
Buzzing sound transpiring from the motor while in use.
Burnt smell from the motor or visible overheating signs.

Fixes for a defective motor controller-

To avoid damage, disconnect the power from your EZGO golf cart.
To diagnose the motor controller, take a multimeter to perform the continuity test.
Connect the probes of the multimeter respectively with the motor controller and see what it reads.
If you find the readings beeping, that means your motor controller connections are secure. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not defective.
Check for visible damage like signs of overheating or a burning smell. If you do find it, that means the controller is defective.
Check if there are any disconnected wires. If so, connect it.
Check for fraying or burnt wires, if you do that means the Motor controller is defective and needs replacement.
If it needs replacement, contact your local mechanic and get a repair.

The motor controller must work properly for your golf cart to run smoothly. Check thoroughly and you should be able to spot when there’s a defect.

our verdict on 36v EZGO Will Not Move And Solenoid Is Not Clicking

Dealing with malfunctioning golf carts can be frustrating specifically when you’re passionately looking forward to the stroll.

Hence, it’s important to know the reasons why your 36v EZGO will not move and the solenoid is not clicking to be able to repair or fix it immediately. Without knowing the causes you won’t be able to perform tests.

Now you can not only look into the issues but also perform the tests on your golf cart and fix it whenever necessary.

FIXED! – 36v EZGO Will Not Move And Solenoid Is Not Clicking