# Unknown year Gem car, doesn't run. **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [August 29, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641 "2025-08-29T14:17:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@RandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RandD)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/1 "2025-08-29T14:17:34Z")
-So, here is my sad tale of woe. I purchased this Gem car knowing nothing about them. I was told that the batteries were bad, and it just needed new batteries . . . . Two part question: 1. What year is my car? I have been unable to figure out what year the Gem car is. There is supposed to be a data plate on the roof, passenger side, fwd, but it didn’t come with a roof. There are stickers showing E 580, but searches for this model yield nothing. I need to find a wiring diagram/parts manual for this car. 2. It is a 48v car, I replaced the batteries, and nothing, zilch, nada. Here is what I have done. I am planning on converting it to LiFePO4 batteries. I purchase 4 LiTime 12v, 100ah batteries. I also purchased a suitable LiFePO4 battery charger. I removed the existing battery charger, which is for FLA (flooded lead acid) batteries. I also purchased a new battery SOC monitor, and new step down transformer (48v to 12v) for accessories. Nothing has been installed except the batteries. In my wanderings, I found that a circuit board is loose from base, under the dash. I am not sure what that board/component does. Can anyone point me in the right direction with: Year and model parts manual/wiring diagram what the component in the pics is Thanks so much! Scot K ![Gem car 1](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/0/b/0b3d82f6058461616451272312b7ccd84daaffab.jpeg) ![Gem car 2](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/f/6/f675e3a231eb57242a79b9f5661c58a7322e4927.jpeg) ![Gem car 3](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/a/0/a00fcd8fa575397de193fa5fa00a643ab56e4f0e.jpeg) ![Gem car 4](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/b/4/b4df512cd289ec88a67f58b9e1d3693426d3ef1e.jpeg) ![Gem car 5](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/1/1/117c6634dfd266c25d901e632b5f5e6d2207b3ea.jpeg) ![Gem car 6](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/7/e/7e0d2c90fbe0ca76d3d449ffc731dc28ca903361.jpeg) ![Gem car 7](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/9/e/9e37451c20a74d21d9ee77ebce5e9db0e86b3381.jpeg) ![Gem car 8](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/e/1/e1b093523f71b7a1d1530d8c7836e19a91b61239.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/2 "2025-08-29T16:04:48Z")
I’m not quite sure where to start with this. Wile it says GEM all over various body panels, the under dash components show that it has roots to a 48v drive system. I also see a couple batteries under the seat, but also see a peek at a couple that may also be in under the hood? It is confusing for sure. The initial roll out for a bunch of these cars were 48v (around 98/99) but were initially called a TransGo. The drive system was more related to a golf cart. It’s what they had. Then as GEM changed/took more of a footing, they switched over to a 72v system. Perhaps what you have is a very early crossover between the two. Either that or some creative individual had a TG with bad plastics and a dead gem car with good plastics, and made one car out of the two. What you need to ask yourself is: What is the intended use of this car? Having such an old root/base in the 48v world makes it difficult to find parts for, so it might be better to start over and update a bunch of stuff. Be careful going down that rabbit hole. I’m sorry to say, whatever you do to this car, the final result is still not going to be worth very much. ---
**Author:** ![RandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@RandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RandD)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/3 "2025-08-29T18:42:46Z")
I appreciate the comments. It is indeed a 48 volt cart, with two batteries under the seat, and two under the front “hood”. If I can get this cart running with the expenditure of batteries, charger, and whatnot, I’m in. Just use for around the neighborhood. The funny thing is I can’t find ANY reference to a model E 580 anywhere! ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/4 "2025-08-29T19:05:26Z")
I feel like I ran into it somewhere. I’ll see if it shows up again. Can you figure out why they split up the battery into pairs? Does this car not have the outboard trays under the back seat? Where was the charger mounted that you pulled out? ---
**Author:** ![RandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@RandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RandD)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/5 "2025-08-29T21:11:42Z")
The battery charger was on the left (pax) side outboard of the two batteries under the seat. It looks like there would have have been enough room for all 4 batts under the seat along with the batt charger though. It also appears to be designed that way, not retro fitted after the fact. The only reason I can figure to put the two fwd is that maybe with two sets of clubs, the center of gravity was too far aft? ---
**Author:** ![Pythan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@Pythan](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Pythan)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2025, 12:52am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/6 "2025-08-30T00:52:25Z")
I don’t know about the rest of it but LiTime is not on board with putting 4 of those batteries in series they tell me. I tried to do that for a 36v cart I have and they said not good. You may want to inquire with LiTime. ---
**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/7 "2025-08-30T02:02:50Z")
OMFG… Its a complete Trans2. Burn it like Viking funeral it deserves. The last 7 digits of the VIN should be stamped in to one of the transverse crossmembers that support the bench seat. The leading characters are all the same for gems iirc. Somewhere i have, at the least, electrical schematics of these. I’ll look tomorrow ---
**Author:** ![Inwo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/inwo/32/1067_2.png) [@Inwo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Inwo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/8 "2025-08-30T16:27:56Z")
Does any part say 48v? Look at motor to see if it’s series or sepex with two heavy cables, two small wires, and a 3 wire plug from a speed sensor. ---
**Author:** ![RandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@RandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RandD)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/9 "2025-08-30T17:38:09Z")
The removed charger is a 48 volt, and the motor has FOUR large wires going into it. Need to get a better look to see if there are smaller wires, and not sure where the speed sensor is yet. I’ll try and find that next time I’m out there. On Batteries, there are “trays” for 4 batteries under the drivers seat, and two up front, but no room for a typical sized charger if you put all 4 batteries under the seat. I got the cart with the batteries removed, but the wiring is set up for two batts under seat, and two under hood. The part that I showed in the last two pics have to do with the reversing contactor I believe. Two of the plug in terminals need to be re-soldiered to the back side of the circuit board. with the wiring that came from the charger, I can’t figure out which went to the reed switch for the charger interlock, but definitely need to figure that out before I can troubleshoot further. Please keep the thoughts coming, as golf carts are definitely new to me, and I’m stumbling around blind here, just trying to identify parts . .. ---
**Author:** ![Inwo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/inwo/32/1067_2.png) [@Inwo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Inwo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/10 "2025-08-30T18:55:30Z")
Then, I concur. It is a 48v transition car. Series motor. Most wiring should be trans2 type. Or get model number from controller. If it’s ge, fsip will have generic wiring info. ---
**Author:** ![RandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@RandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RandD)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2025, 2:58pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/11 "2025-08-31T14:58:17Z")
Found on transverse support 4129 (in small stamps) and X005037 (in larger stamps), see attached. Also, see attached pic of speed controller ![VIN, last 7 digets](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/d/7/d7137388171f68f7dfe652bfb43de09909ebf78a.jpeg) ![speed controller data plate](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/d/1/d1b24b47ac6beaad7a26955c39c5cc56345e0a69.jpeg) ![Entire VIN](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/6/8/68ef94601103d0655c57f200b176c0c82966b3c5.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Pythan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@Pythan](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Pythan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/12 "2025-08-31T16:20:30Z")
Curtis makes good good golf cart controllers.. that is what my golf cart has in it. ---
**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/13 "2025-08-31T21:03:42Z")
The larger stamps would be the last 7 of the vin. Not sure what the 4 digit small ones represent ---
**Author:** ![RandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@RandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RandD)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/14 "2025-09-01T01:38:40Z")
Any idea what the year is from that VIN? ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 5:51am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/15 "2025-09-01T05:51:16Z")
> Any idea what the year is from that VIN? Why are you so stuck on what year this car is? ---
**Author:** ![RandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@RandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RandD)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 11:54am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/16 "2025-09-01T11:54:00Z")
Just trying to get as much info as I can on the cart. Still haven’t decided whether it’s worth it to repair, of just junk it and try something more mainstream like a Club Car, or EZGO. ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 1:09pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/17 "2025-09-01T13:09:31Z")
**Go for the minimums.** You know what controller it has, look up what it needs to get the car rolling. Check/clean out motor. Make sure brushes are free/not stuck. Clean Comms. **Make it safe** Check brakes. All four wheel bearings. Brake system - free, not jammed, not leaking, Ball joints Axles - CV’s, boots. Steering rack - free smooth, not binding, boots not cracked. **Then go for the ancillary systems.** 12v sub system (headlights, tail lights, etc.) Safety loops like hand brake, charger interlock, Here- I found this: ![48volt](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/2X/f/f13b87140e066a0b648d0a8ba80f78561f62b121.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/18 "2025-09-01T17:17:07Z")
If you search around there is a vin decoder on this site somewhere ---
**Author:** ![Supes30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@Supes30](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Supes30)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2025, 12:49am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/19 "2025-09-03T00:49:36Z")
I have a 2009 GEM E2, in perfect working condition. If the one you have doesn’t workout. Can send details and pics if you’re interested. ---
**Author:** ![RandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@RandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RandD)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641/20 "2025-09-03T02:55:26Z")
Supes30, Appreciate the offer, but I’m going to keep playing with this one. I’ve got my eye on another cart as well (not a Gem) that I may buy because it has the convertable flatbed in the back for around the yard. [Next page](https://community.electricforum.com/t/unknown-year-gem-car-doesnt-run/29641.md?page=2)