STAR EV golf carts are a popular choice for golfers. They are multi-purpose tools, much prized for their convenience, performance, and efficiency. Golfers in most states in the US can drive their STAR EVs on roads as they are street-legal.
Despite offering great services, your STAR EV golf cart may develop a few issues. The most common STAR EV golf cart problems are charging problems, solenoid breakdown, motor problems, brake issues, tire issues, acceleration problems, and stuttering.
If you’re scouring the market for a STAR EV golf cart, it’s best to know the issues you might face. This post addresses the most frequent STAR EV golf cart issues and how to diagnose and fix them.
Contents
STAR Golf Cart Charging Problems
Most of the STAR golf cart problems originate from the battery. If your cart has charging issues, you should inspect the battery first.
An electric cart with charging problems may fail to start. Sometimes, it might start but fail to move. Your STAR EV golf cart may have developed charging issues due to the following reasons:
- Incorrect water levels in the plates
- Dirty or corroded terminals
- An old or faulty battery
Some STAR EV owners claim that batteries developed charging issues after storing their carts for a long time without charging. So it’s advisable to store your cart when the battery is fully charged.
How To Diagnose and Fix
The first thing you want to inspect is the battery. Use a voltmeter and see if you can get the read. If you can’t, then your battery is the culprit.
- Check the water level. The battery should have enough water to cover the plates. If you’ve not been adding water regularly, your battery may have an incorrect water level. Add enough water but don’t fill it. Consider using the necessary safety precautions as the battery contains acid.
- Inspect the terminals for dirt or corrosion. Dirt and corrosion can prevent your battery from charging. If you find the terminals dirty or rusty, use a combination of water, baking soda, and a soft brush to wipe them.
- Check if there are any frayed wires or broken cables. Replace any frayed wires or broken cables.
- If none of the above fixes helps to fix the charging problem, your battery might be old or damaged. An old battery tends to lose efficiency. Replace it with a compatible one.
Solenoid Issues
The solenoid in these electric carts allows current from the battery to flow to the motor. If the solenoid is functional, it powers the engine, creating a ‘click’ sound. This is the sound you should note when turning on the cart.
If you don’t hear the ‘click’ sound and the cart fails to start or stops intermittently, the solenoid has a problem. Some of the reasons that account for a solenoid breakdown include the following:
- Burnt or broken coils
- Loose or damaged wires
- Excessive moisture
- Corrosion
How To Diagnose and Fix
Fixing problems with the solenoid can be tricky. If you don’t have the technical know-how, take your STAR EV golf cart to a professional. Here’s what you should do to fix problems with the solenoid.
- Inspect for any burnt or broken coils. You can also check if there are any corroded coils. If you find any of these issues, take your golf cart to a mechanic to replace the solenoid.
- Check if there’s any loose or damaged wire. Tighten the loose wires and replace the damaged ones.
Acceleration Problems
STAR EV golf carts are low-speed vehicles, ideal for golf courses or streets. However, that doesn’t mean they should offer turtle speed even after you’ve fully pressed the pedal. If your golf cart has acceleration issues, you may want to inspect the battery, brakes, and connection cables.
Your STAR EV can have acceleration problems if you have an undercharged battery. If you’re driving the cart on roads with bumps and potholes, the connection cables might become loose or come out, resulting in acceleration issues.
Additionally, if the brake pads are too tight on the rims, your electric cart will have acceleration problems.
How To Diagnose and Fix
Here’s how to diagnose and fix STAR golf cart acceleration problems.
- Switch off the golf cart and use a voltmeter to check the battery reading. If you have an undercharged battery, charge it before turning the cart on.
- If the fully charged battery gets drained after covering a few yards, you might be dealing with an old or faulty battery. Such a battery needs replacement.
- Check for any loose connection cables and tighten them. Loose or disconnected cables can affect the potentiometer and cause acceleration problems.
- Inspect the brake system to see if they’re tight on the wheels. If that’s the case, adjust the brake system to allow the wheels to spin freely.
- If none of the above fixes solves your cart’s acceleration problems, take it to a repair shop for diagnosis and fixing.
Brake Issues
One of the most frequent STAR EV golf cart problems you’re likely to encounter is issues with the brakes. The brake system in these electric carts is crucial as it allows your cart to slow down or stop. However, the brake system needs your attention if the cart takes longer or fails to stop even after pressing the pedal.
In most cases, STAR EV golf carts develop brake problems due to the following reasons:
- Wheels are not aligned correctly
- Worn out wheels
- Damaged brake parts
How To Diagnose and Fix
Here’s how to fix STAR golf cart brake issues.
- Inspect the wheels for misalignment. If the wheels are not aligned properly, the brakes may fail to stop or slow down your cart. Loosen the lug nuts and rotate the wheels while aligning them properly.
- Check for signs of wear and tear on the wheels. Worn-out wheels won’t work well with the brakes. Replace any worn-out wheel and test-drive to see if the brakes work.
- Inspect the brake pads and rotors for damage. If you notice excessive wear and tear or any damage, consider replacing them.
Motor Problems
If your cart won’t start or move, the next thing you should check after the battery is the motor. An old or worn-out engine can be powerless and fail to power your electric cart.
The first thing you should do is locate the motor and press the small red button. If the engine is functional, it should begin powering your cart. However, if the problem persists, you can use the following diagnoses and fixes.
How To Diagnose and Fix
- Inspect the motor for signs of damage or old age. If it looks worn out or old, replace it.
- Use another battery to test the motor. If it fails to work, check for any signs of breakage on the internal areas that you can repair. Replace it if it fails to work after the repair.
Stuttering Problem
Does your STAR EV golf cart stutter while you’re pressing the pedal? A stuttering cart can be annoying, especially when it fails to move. The leading causes of a stuttering problem in your cart include the following:
- Battery problems
- Blown fuses
- Insecure connection cables
- A faulty solenoid
How To Diagnose and Fix
- Inspect the battery to see if it’s dead or old. If you test the battery and find it dead, charge it fully before turning it on. An old battery can be weak and cause your cart to stutter, so consider replacing it.
- Check the fuse box for blown fuses. If you find any cloudy or melted fuse, replace it.
- Inspect the connection cables to see if they’re loose or disconnected. Ensure the cables are secure by tightening or connecting them back.
- If the stuttering problem continues, inspect the solenoid for signs of damage. A bad solenoid will cause your cart to stutter and fail to start. Take your cart to a mechanic to fix or replace it.
Tire Issues
Tires can cause several STAR EV golf cart problems if not given regular maintenance. Some of the causes of tire issues in these electric carts include the following:
- Low tire pressure
- Excessive friction
- Improper alignment
How To Diagnose and Fix
- Check the tire pressure to see if the problem results from low or incorrect tire pressure. If the tires have low pressure, they may cause poor traction on the front wheels. Inflate the tires with the recommended pressure of the cart.
- If there’s excessive friction on your cart tires, inspect for loose lug nuts. Tighten the nut or install it properly.
- Check wheel alignment. Misaligned wheels can cause uneven and inefficient tires. You can fix this problem by loosening the lug nuts and aligning the wheels properly.
- Check for signs of wear on the tires. If the tires are worn out, they may have uneven pressure and cause poor traction. Change the tires and inflate them evenly.
Conclusion
If you’re facing any of the above STAR EV golf cart problems, you can use our tips to diagnose and fix the issue. You can also prevent some of these problems by offering regular maintenance to your electric cart. After you’ve tried all the fixes but the issue persists, take your cart to a professional for thorough diagnosis and repair.
Hello! My name is Chris, and I am the founder of Yard Floor. When I was a toddler, my family had a lush green lawn. I was at the center of caring for and maintaining this lawn and even proceeded to take an associate’s Degree in landscaping. I am here to share my years of experience with you – be it repairing your mower/tractor or caring for your lawn.
