Trolling Motor Issues - Sometimes doesn't work

jtf408 · Post by **jtf408** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:36 am

I have a 80lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor and lately it has been failing on me when I press the button on the foot pedal. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't work I pull it out of the water a few times or press the pedal up and down and stuff, and sometimes it starts to work again.

Anyone had this issue in the past? Any ideas of where the issue is? I just noticed that my batteries are pretty old. Purchased back in 99. But would that cause the button to sometimes work and sometimes not?

Any info or help would be greatly appreciated.

Levy · Post by **Levy** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:27 am

I have the same problem with my 70LB Minn Kota. I would love to know what causes the problem and how to fix it. I have had new and old batteries and it makes no difference as the problem still occurs.

Jon

FISH2WIN55 · Post by **FISH2WIN55** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:52 am

Have you replaced the foot pedal switch. It could be going out.

jtf408 · Post by **jtf408** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:54 am

Is this something which I can do myself? Or do I need to take it into a service center?

BassManDan · Post by **BassManDan** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:26 am

It might be something you can do yourself (depending on how techmologically inclined your are!)

Look up Sunny's Electric Marine in Sac, they've got the parts you'll need, since they do all MinnKota.

Best a' luck,
BassManDan

Ringer · Post by **Ringer** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:43 am

I had an armature go bad on my 101. It was replaced under warranty. I would stop working then if I turned it R & L real fast it would start.

JLS (Jay Liu's Service) · Mon May 05, 2008 10:59 am

JTF48

You have a open in the armature.

Your motor should be under warranty (three year warranty).

You can take it to sonny's in Sacramento. or take it to any Minn Kota service center.

I do have all the parts in stock, but I am in Redding Ca.

JLS (Jay Liu's Service) trolling motor repair.

jtf408 · Post by **jtf408** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:22 am

I think this is it! I am not sure what an armature is, but from looking at a parts diagram it appeas to have some gears on it which I think is probably worn down in a certain area. When fooling with it in the garage, while hitting the button, i can hear its trying to turn, then when i just barely move the blade manually wiht my hand, it kicks right back on again......

I guess I will have to take it in.......

Thanks everyone.

FISH2WIN55 · Post by **FISH2WIN55** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:31 am

Thanks JLS for jumping in. There seems to be a lot of TM questions out there and it is nice to have someone like yourself to help out.

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:10 pm

I'm having a similar issue with what sounds like the same trolling motor. Mine is operating fine then all of a sudden it feels like its running off just one battery instead of two then an hour later it's running strong again. Taking it into the shop soon.

sTony

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:12 pm

jtf408 wrote:I think this is it! I am not sure what an armature is, but from looking at a parts diagram it appeas to have some gears on it which I think is probably worn down in a certain area. When fooling with it in the garage, while hitting the button, i can hear its trying to turn, then when i just barely move the blade manually wiht my hand, it kicks right back on again......

I guess I will have to take it in.......

Thanks everyone.

Be careful now. Don't want to lose a finger or anything like that.

sTony

meanstick · Post by **meanstick** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:15 pm

My 101 was doing the same thing and I changed the switch and it worked great,

Smile_n_Jax · Post by **Smile_n_Jax** » Mon May 05, 2008 3:37 pm

i can hear its trying to turn, then when i just barely move the blade manually with my hand, it kicks right back on again...... - jtf408

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sounds like you have one or more dead segments on the armature. If you're not too mechanically inclined, you'll have to take it to a shop for replacement.