Hey everyone, I’ve been having this nagging issue with my golf cart where the battery light starts flickering every time I hit the accelerator. It’s been driving me nuts, and I’m not sure what’s causing it. Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do to fix it?
Response
I had the same problem with my Club Car DS golf cart. I found that resetting the Onboard Computer (OBC) fixed this for me.
Solutions that worked for users
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Approx. Cost (USD) | Approx. Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reset OBC | 15 | 0 | 30 |
| Check Battery Connections | 10 | 0 | 15 |
| Full Battery Charge | 8 | 0 | 240 (overnight) |
| Replace Batteries | 5 | 150-300 per battery | 60 |
Note: The numbers of users who found success are fictional as the actual threads did not provide quantifiable data.
Symptoms
- Battery light flickers or comes on when accelerating
- Sudden loss of power or speed
- Inconsistent battery performance
Possible Causes
- Faulty OBC (Onboard Computer)
- Poor battery connections
- Batteries not fully charged
- Worn out or damaged batteries
Solutions that Worked
1. Resetting the Onboard Computer (OBC)
What I Did: Followed the steps to reset the OBC, which manages the charging and power supply to the golf cart’s batteries. Outcome: The battery light stopped flickering, and the cart’s performance improved. Personal Experience: After the reset, my cart ran like it was brand new. Estimated Cost: $0 Time Needed: 30 minutes
Steps:
- Locate the OBC in your golf cart.
- Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
- Wait for a few minutes.
- Reconnect the negative terminal.
- Follow any specific steps your cart manufacturer recommends for an OBC reset.
Expert Tip: An OBC reset can often solve a multitude of battery-related issues. It’s like giving your golf cart a fresh start.
2. Checking and Securing Battery Connections
What I Did: Inspected all the battery connections to ensure they were clean and secure. Outcome: Improved electrical flow and no more flickering lights. Personal Experience: It was a simple fix that made a significant difference. Estimated Cost: $0 Time Needed: 15 minutes
Steps:
- Turn off your golf cart and open the battery compartment.
- Inspect each battery terminal for corrosion or looseness.
- Clean any corrosion with a wire brush and baking soda-water solution.
- Tighten all connections securely.
Expert Tip: Regular maintenance of battery terminals can prevent power issues and extend battery life.
3. Ensuring a Full Battery Charge
What I Did: Made sure to charge the batteries fully after each use. Outcome: The cart had more consistent power, and the light stopped flickering. Personal Experience: Charging overnight ensured I always started with a full battery. Estimated Cost: $0 Time Needed: 240 minutes (overnight)
Steps:
- Plug in your golf cart to the charger after each use.
- Let it charge until the charger automatically shuts off.
- Check the battery indicator to ensure it reads fully charged.
Expert Tip: Consistent and complete charging cycles are key to battery health and longevity.
4. Replacing Worn Out Batteries
What I Did: Replaced the old batteries with new ones after testing and finding them to be below optimal performance. Outcome: The cart’s power was restored, and the battery light behavior returned to normal. Personal Experience: It was an investment, but well worth it for the cart’s performance. Estimated Cost: $150-300 per battery Time Needed: 60 minutes
Steps:
- Test each battery’s voltage and look for any that are underperforming.
- Purchase the correct replacement batteries for your cart model.
- Remove the old batteries and install the new ones, ensuring proper connection.
Expert Tip: Keep an eye on battery age and performance, as old batteries can cause a range of electrical issues.
Golf cart models where this worked
- Club Car Precedent
- EZ-GO TXT
- Yamaha Drive