CLUB CAR - My FORM Charger Flashes Red, Yellow, and Green Without Charging

Dealing with a charger that won't charge can be perplexing, but understanding the cause often simplifies the solution. When the charger is flashing red, then yellow, and then green, it gives us a clear error that can be fixed.

The Problem

The OBC (Onboard Computer) is not allowing the charger to communicate with the batteries, resulting in the charger flashing red, then flashing yellow, and then going solid green without charging.

The OBC in Club Car golf carts is essential for regulating the charging cycle when the original charger is used, ensuring that the batteries receive a correct and efficient charge. The OBC has been shown to have a high failure rate. If it fails to allow charging from the receptacle to the batteries, the FORM charger will indicate this with a sequence of lights of flashing red, flashing yellow, and then solid green. Additionally, replacing an OBC in these golf carts is not only a common requirement but also a costly one, with professional replacement services ranging between $800 and $1000.

How To Fix

In order to keep the OBC from preventing charging, you will need to bypass the OBC by performing what we call an OBC Bypass.

OBC Bypass: 1995 – 2004 Club Car

  1. ‘TOW’ Mode: Switch the golf cart to tow mode. 
  2. Access Back of Receptacle: Remove the battery near the golf cart receptacle to allow for clear access to the back of the receptacle.
  3. Install Bypass Wire: Attach a new bypass wire (minimum 12ga) from the battery's last negative terminal in the series to the location shown on the back of the receptacle. 
  4. Reinstall Battery: Reinstall the battery that was previously removed. 
  5. ‘RUN’ Mode: Switch the golf cart back to RUN mode.

OBC Bypass: 2004 and Up Club Car

  1. ‘TOW’ Mode: Switch the golf cart to tow mode. 
  2. Access Back of Receptacle: Remove the battery near the golf cart receptacle to allow for clear access to the back of the receptacle.
  3. Cut Receptacle Wire: Cut the black wire on the back of the receptacle and cap the end going to the OBC. Leave enough wire (about 4 inches) to connect to the new wire. 
  4. Install Bypass Wire: Connect a bypass wire (minimum 12ga) from the last negative battery terminal to the black wire (Cut in Step 3) on the back of the receptacle. 
  5. Reinstall Battery: Reinstall the battery that was previously removed. 
  6. ‘RUN’ Mode: Switch the golf cart back to RUN mode.

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