Last Updated on August 26, 2023 by Chuck Wilson
EZGO, a renowned golf cart manufacturer, was founded on June 13, 1954, in a garage in Augusta, Georgia. Created by brothers Billy and Beverly “Bev” Dolan, the company initially focused on electric golf carts powered by a 24-volt military surplus motor and a 36v battery stack. It wasn’t until 1971 that EZGO introduced a gasoline-powered option. Unfortunately, finding manuals for the early models from the 1950s can be challenging, and online technical information is often inconsistent. This article aims to provide clear and easy-to-understand Ezgo Wiring Diagrams 36 Volt to help restore classic EZGO golf carts.
Table of Contents
Golf Cart Operation
The manufacturer suggests operating the EZGO car at top speed because it takes about the same amount of energy (if not a little less) to go in 3rd speed than to go in the first or second speed. The three different speeds are obtained by passing the current from the batteries through all or part of a resistor, the entire resistor for low-speed, half the resistor for the second speed, and bypassing the resistor completely for high-speed. This is accomplished by using three solenoids, one for each speed.
The forward-reverse switch is connected to another series of solenoids that passes the current to the motor through solenoids A and B for reverse, C and D for forward.
Turn the key to the right and current is passed through the black wire to solenoids C and D. When solenoid C has energized it connects Traction Motor Terminal S1 and A2. At the same time, solenoid D is energized closing a circuit between Traction Motor Terminal A1 (directed through solenoids 1,2, or 3 depending on what speed is selected) and the positive terminal of the battery. This is the same as bridging S1 and A2 together and placing A1 to the positive terminal and S2 to the negative terminal. The cart would then move forward.
The key turned left carries current through the white wire to solenoids A and B. When solenoid A is energized a circuit is closed between Traction Motor Terminal S1 and A1. At the same time, solenoid B closes a circuit between Traction Motor Terminal A2 (directed through solenoids 1,2, or 3 depending on what speed is selected) and the positive terminal of the battery. This would be the same as bridging S1 and A1 together and putting A2 on the positive terminal on the batteries and S2 on the negative terminal. The cart would then move in reverse.
This is a Replacement Charger that can be adapted to older EZGo Carts
EZGO Late 1950’s 16 Gauge 36 Volt Battery Wiring Diagram
Wire colors on the early EZGO were almost all black or white, and a green wire for first speed. This cart is a resistor type speed control with 7 solenoids. “A” and “B” solenoids are reverse, “C” and “D” solenoids are Forward, and Solenoids 1,2, and 3 are speed controls.
EZGO Late 1950’s Heavy Cable Wiring Diagram
Current Flow Logic Diagrams
First Speed
- Key switch – Forward
- Speed Switch – First Speed Contact
- Solenoid “C” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “D” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “A” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “B” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “1” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “2” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “3” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Voltage across the full length of the Resistor 7
Second Speed
- Key switch – Forward
- Speed Switch – Second Speed Contact
- Solenoid “C” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “D” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “A” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “B” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “1” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “2” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “3” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Voltage across half the length of the Resistor 7
Third Speed
- Key switch – Forward
- Speed Switch – Third Speed Contact
- Solenoid “C” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “D” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “A” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “B” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “1” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “2” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “3” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Voltage bypasses Resistor 7
First Speed Reverse
- Key switch – Reverse
- Speed Switch – First Speed Contact
- Solenoid “C” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “D” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- 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 “1” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “2” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “3” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Voltage across the full length of the Resistor 7
Second Speed Reverse
- Key switch – Reverse
- Speed Switch – Second Speed Contact
- Solenoid “C” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “D” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- 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 “1” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “2” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Solenoid “3” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Voltage across half the length of the Resistor 7
Third Speed Reverse
- Key switch – Reverse
- Speed Switch – Third Speed Contact
- Solenoid “C” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “D” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- 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 “1” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “2” Open – Voltage not applied to small terminals
- Solenoid “3” Closed – Voltage applied to small terminals, continuity across large terminals
- Voltage bypasses Resistor 7
Wiring Key Ezgo Wiring Diagrams 36 Volt 1950’s Model 300 EZGO
- Charger Connection
- Speed Switch – 4 wires (Green, Black, White, Black) For Solenoids 1,2, and 3
- Key Switch – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal C3, Black wire to Speed Switch Common, White wire to Solenoid Terminal A3
- Batteries – (6) 6-volt
- Traction Motor
A1 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal D4
A2 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal C1
S1 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal A4
S2 – Black Wire to Battery Negative Terminal - Solenoid – Single Action
Solenoid A
A1 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal D4
A2 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal B3, Black wire to Solenoid Terminal C2
A3 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal B2, Black wire to Key Switch R
A4 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal C4, Black wire to Traction Motor S1
Solenoid B
B1 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal D1, Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 3-4
B2 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal A3
B3 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal A2
B4 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal C1
Solenoid C
C1 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal B4, Black wire to Traction Motor A2
C2 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal D3
C3 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal D2, Black wire to Key Switch F
C4 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal A4
Solenoid D
D1 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal B1
D2 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal C3
D3 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 1-2, Black wire to Solenoid Terminal C2
D4 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal A1, Black wire to Traction Motor A1
Solenoid 1
1-1 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 2-4
1-2 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 2-3, Black wire to Solenoid Terminal D3
1-3 – Green wire to Speed Switch First Speed Contact
1-4 – Black wire to Resistor 7
Solenoid 2
2-1 -Black wire to Middle Tap Resistor 7
2-2 – White wire to Key Switch Second Speed Contact
2-3 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 1-2, Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 3-3
2-4 – Black wire to Solenoid Termina 1-1, Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 3-4
Solenoid 3
3-1 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 3-3, Black wire to Bypass contact on Resistor 7
3-2 – Black wire to Speed Switch Third Speed Contact
3-3 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 2-3, Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 3-1
4-4 – Black wire to Solenoid Terminal 2-4, Black wire to Solenoid Terminal B1 - Resistor