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Harley Davidson Golf Cart Wiring Diagrams 1979–1982 DE, DE4

Harley Davidson Golf Cart Wiring Diagrams 1979

Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Chuck Wilson

These wiring diagrams are for the final years of the Harley Davidson golf cart before the name “Harley Davidson” was dropped.  These drawings are for the electric model only. Note that the designation DE-3 and DE-4 signify a 3 or 4-wheel cart.

Harley Davidson Golf Cart Wiring Diagrams 1979–1982 DE, DE4 Solenoid Arrangements

1979-82 Model DE, DE-3, DE-4 Heavy Cable Diagram

Harley Davidson Golf Cart Wiring Diagrams 1979

1979-82 Model DE,DE-3,DE-4 Control Circuit Wiring Diagram for 16 Gauge Wire

Wiring Key 1979-82 Model De, DE-3, DE-4

  1. Key Switch – 4 wires (Green, Blue, Yellow, Red) For terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5
  2. Key Switch Terminal – Green wire to Solenoid Terminal R2
  3. Key Switch Terminal – Blue wire to Solenoid Terminal F2
  4. Key Switch Terminal – Red wire to Solenoid Terminal B2
  5. Key Switch Terminal – Yellow wire to Reverse Buzzer 19
  6. Speed Switch (Contains Terminals 7, 8, 9, 10)
  7. Speed Switch Terminal – White wire to Terminal 15 on Switch Wiper Arm (2), Black wire to Right Diode 21
  8. Speed Switch Terminal – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal A1
  9. Speed Switch Terminal – Brown wire to Solenoid Terminal B3, Diode 12
  10. Speed Switch Terminal – White wire to Microswitch 11 Common, Diode 12
  11. Microswitch –NC Terminal Black wire to Solenoid Terminal C3, NO Terminal Red wire to Solenoid Terminal A2, Common Terminal White wire to Speed Switch Terminal 10
  12. Diode
  13. Front Batteries (3)
  14. Rear Batteries (3)
  15. Single Action Solenoid A, B, and C
    Solenoid A
    A1 – Black wire to Left Diode, Black wire to Positive Terminal Front Batteries, Black wire to Speed Switch Terminal 8
    A2 – Red wire to Time Delay, Red wire to Microswitch NC Terminal
    A3 – White wire to Solenoid Terminal C2, White wire to Left Diode
    A4 – Orange wire to Reverse Buzzer 19, Black wire to Negative Terminal Rear Batteries Solenoid B
    B1 – White wire to Solenoid Terminal R3, Black wire Positive Terminal Rear Batteries, Red wire to Charger Plug Positive
    B2 – Red wire to Key Switch Terminal 4
    B3 – Brown wire to Speed Switch Terminal 9
    B4 – Copper Strap to Solenoid Terminal B4 Solenoid C
    C1 – Black wire to Traction Motor A2, Black wire to Resistor 18
    C2 – White wire to Solenoid Terminal F3, White wire to Solenoid Terminal A3
     C3 – Black Wire to Microswitch NC Terminal, Black wire to Time Delay 22
    C4 – Black wire to Resistor 18, Black wire to Negative Terminal Front Batteries, Black wire to Right Diode 21
  16. Dual Action Solenoid
    Solenoid R
    R1 – Black wire to Motor Terminal S1, Copper Strap to R5
    R2 – Green wire to Key Switch Terminal 2
    R3 – White wire to Solenoid Terminal B1, White wire to Solenoid Terminal F3
    R4 – Copper Strap to Solenoid Terminal B4, Copper Strap to Solenoid Terminal F1
    R5 – Copper Strap to Solenoid Terminal R1
    R6 – Copper Strap to Solenoid Terminal F5, Black wire to Traction Motor Terminal A1 Solenoid F
    F1 – Copper Strap to Solenoid Terminal R4
    F2 – Blue wire to Key Switch Terminal 3
    F3 – White wire to Solenoid Terminal R3, White wire to Solenoid Terminal C2
    F4 – Copper Strap to Solenoid Terminal F6, Black wire to Motor Terminal S2
    F5 – Copper Strap to Solenoid Terminal R6
    F6 – Copper Strap to Solenoid Terminal F4
  17. Traction Motor
  18. Resistor
  19. Reverse Buzzer
  20. Left Diode
  21. Right Diode
  22. Time Delay
  23. Charger Plug

1979 – 1982 Energized Circuits Diagrams

Charging

The wiper arm is at full rest and making contact with Contact Terminal #1. Batteries are in parallel through the charger plug 23.

  • Key switch –  Off
  • Speed Switch –  At Contact #1
  • Solenoid “A” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “B” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “C” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “F” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “R” Open – Not Energized
  • Voltage to Motor – None
  • Voltage across A1 and A2 – None
  • Micro Switch – In Normally Closed state

First Speed

As the wiper arm moves off of Terminal #1, power is applied through the left and right diodes. Terminal #2 is a buffer and provides no connections. Contact is made with Terminal #3 and power is applied to Solenoids “F” and “B”. Power is passed through the Resistor 18 and First Speed is achieved at 18-volts parallel. The Speed Switch diode prevents Solenoid “C” from being energized from contact #3.

  • Key switch –  Forward
  • Speed Switch –  Contact with #3 Speed Terminal
  • Solenoid “A” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “B” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals 
  • Solenoid “C” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “F” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
  • Solenoid “R” Open – Not Energized
  • Micro Switch – In Normally Closed state

Second Speed

The wiper arm is now in contact with Terminal #4 and now energizes Solenoid “C”. Solenoid “C” bypasses the resistor and provides the full 18-volts to the traction motor. This is Second Speed.

  • Key switch –  Forward
  • Speed Switch –  Contact with #4 Speed Terminal
  • Solenoid “A” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “B” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals 
  • Solenoid “C” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals 
  • Solenoid “F” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
  • Solenoid “R” Open – Not Energized
  • Micro Switch – In Normally Closed state

Third Speed

The wiper arm now reaches the maximum travel and closes the normally open contacts on the microswitch 11. This deactivates Solenoid “C” putting the resistor back into the circuit and energizes Solenoid “A”. Solenoid “A” takes the batteries out of 18-volt parallel and places it in a 36-volt series state. The Cart is now in third speed, with power now applied to the Time Delay.

  • Key switch –  Forward
  • Speed Switch –  Contact with #4 Speed Terminal and in contact with microswitch
  • Solenoid “A” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
  • Solenoid “B” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals 
  • Solenoid “C” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “F” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
  • Solenoid “R” Open – Not Energized
  • Micro Switch – In Normally Open state

Fourth Speed

After approximately 2 seconds, the time delay kicks in and energizes Solenoid “C”, bypassing the resistor and providing a full 36-volt charge to the traction motor. This is the fourth and maximum speed.

  • Key switch –  Forward
  • Speed Switch –  Contact with #4 Speed Terminal and in contact with microswitch
  • Solenoid “A” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
  • Solenoid “B” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals 
  • Solenoid “C” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals 
  • Solenoid “F” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
  • Solenoid “R” Open – Not Energized
  • Micro Switch – In Normally Open state, Time Delay energized

Reverse (First Speed only is shown)

The Key Switch is set to “REV” and activates Solenoid “R”.  Solenoid “R” reverses S1 and S2 connections and the Traction motor turns in the opposite direction. All other solenoid functions remain the same through the four speeds.

  • Key switch –  Forward
  • Speed Switch –  Contact with #3 Speed Terminal
  • Solenoid “A” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “B” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals 
  • Solenoid “C” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “F” Open – Not Energized
  • Solenoid “R” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
  • Micro Switch – In Normally Open state, Time Delay closed

Troubleshooting Chart for the 1979–1982 DE, DE4

SymptomPossible CauseRemedy
Batteries will not chargeAccelerator pedal not at rest position and wiper arm is not completely on the first contact blockRefer to Speed Switch Adjustment Section here
Corroded or loose battery connectionsCheck, clean and tighten connections
Faulty BatteryTest each Battery while completely disconnected from the series
Faulty ChargerUse multimeter and test output voltage
Will not go in forward or reverseFaulty batteries or connectionsInspect batteries and clean connections
Faulty key switchTest key switch with continuity tester
Faulty speed switchCheck speed switch connections
Solenoid "B" not energizingCheck cabling to Solenoid "B"
Test solenoid with procedure listed here
Faulty MotorFollow Motor trouble shooting procedures
Forward Works, no reverseFaulty key switchTest key switch with continuity tester
Solenoid "R" not energizingCheck cabling to Solenoid "R"
Test solenoid with procedure listed here
Solenoid "F" open between Large bottom terminalsCheck connections to Solenoid "B" large terminals.
Test solenoid with procedure listed here
Reverse works OK, no ForwardFaulty key switchTest key switch with continuity tester
Solenoid "R" open circuit on large bottom terminalsCheck connections to Solenoid "R" large terminals.
Test solenoid with procedure listed here
Solenoid "F" not EnergizingCheck connections to Solenoid "F" control terminals.
Test solenoid with procedure listed here
Speed 1 Works, no 2, 3, or 4Speed Switch wiper arm not making contact with 4th speed contact pad.Remove and inspect Speed Switch.
Speed Switch diode openCheck diode leads.
Speed 1 and 2 Works, no 3, or 4Micro switch not making the connection between NC and COMTest Micro Switch
Solenoid "A" not energizing, stuck openCheck connections to Solenoid "A" terminals.
Test solenoid with procedure listed here
Speed 3 and 4 Works, no 1 or 2Both Motor diodes openCheck diode condition
Solenoid "A" stuck closedCheck connections to Solenoid "A" control terminals.
Test solenoid with procedure listed here
Speed 3 and 4 works, no 1, or 2Short in Speed Switch DiodeInspect, repair, or replace.
Speed 2 and 4 works, no 1 or 3Solenoid "C" stuck closed bypassing ResistorTest solenoid "C" with procedure listed here
Open ResistorCheck Resistor connections.
Speed 1 and 3 works, no 2 or 4Solenoid "C" not energizing or stuck open passing all current through ResistorTest solenoid "C" with procedure listed here
Speed 1 and 4 works, no 2 or 3Time Delay Tube shortedCheck Time Delay Tube connections.
Speed 1, 2, and 3 works, no 4Time Delay Tube open or faultyCheck Time Delay Tube connections.
Speed 3 has a long delay or too short of a delayTime Delay Tube open faultyTest Time Delay Tube.
Front set of batteries goes dead or
Rear set of batteries goes dead
One Motor Diode is openCheck connections to Motor Diode or replace.

Other Years and Models for The Harley Davidson Golf Cart

About the author

Chuck began working on golf carts after relocating to a golf community in Arkansas, and acquired an interest in vintage “barn finds”. Even with the internet community as a resource for parts and reference, there are some searches that take hours to find needed information…and many results are incorrect. He compiles corrected diagrams and drawings to simplify the hobbyist’s quest for identifying and restoring their golf cart. He uses his personal experiences to bring you useful and current info to get the best out of your cart.

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