Columbia Electric PARCAR Diode Smoking

[Aussiegav]

Hi Guys/Gals, This is my first post so please be gentle. I am also from Australia so gday from Down Under.

I purchased one of your American Chariots to get me around the golf course but have run into some problems that Im hoping you can help me with.

Ok so I bought this cart knowing it had an electronic issue and would only go backweards and not forward and would keep blowing the fuse on the yellow wire that goes to the tow/untow switch.

I tested and worked out that the forward solenoid internal coil was stuffed so have purchased a new solenoid. Fitted the solenoid and still nothing, not even a click of the main solenoid. I have attached a photo of my wiring diagram and cant work out why the diode between the two wires for the tow/untow switch gets that hot once i put the positive battery terminal on the 36V system. It doesn't matter if the switch is in tow or untow or even if the wires are removed from the switch or even if the ignition is in the off position, the diode starts smoking it gets so hot.

Any ideas?

[Tech Support]

Here's an older bulletin on diode and controller

[Aussiegav]

Thanks very much for the update. Will check it out, thanks

[Aussiegav]

Can anyone tell me what the components I have circled in BLUE are called and where I would get replacements from or maybe how I could test them. I beleive this is where my short is situated.

Even better, can these be bypassed?

[Tech Support]

Those are modules for regen. No longer available. But look at the attached diagram from the 96-2000 manual. Basically the same setup without the regen. It might be some time invested but in theory you might be able to rewire to match this diagram and bypass those modules.

[Aussiegav]

Thanks Tech Support.

Can you see any downside of rewiring as per the diagram you sent through and by-passing the regen modules?

The cart is only being used on the golf course and not street driven. Not sure if that makes a difference.

[Tech Support]

IMO, the regen is a lot of hype when being sold as a way to restore power to the batteries. As a motor braking idea however, I love it. The newer carts can be programmed with that feature so when driving on streets it means you aren't always hitting the brake pedal. For the golf course though, honestly I wouldn't worry about it.