MinnKota went out - advice please

[MuskieJunkie]

Yesterday I used my 6 year old powerdrive Minnkota for the first time with the foot pedal (I had previously always used the Co-Pilot remote). When I turned it on with power 10 it went on but then wouldn’t adjust to anything less than power 10. Then I noticed smoke coming out of the head of the unit. The steering still worked but the variable speed would not respond. Then I noticed smoke coming out of the base of the unit.

Can you buy parts online for these?

Is there a place in the twin cities that repairs them?

Once I do get it fixed should I not use the footpedal again, assuming that was the culprit?

I’d appreciate any advice, thanks.

[Esox_Magnum]

Guessing you lost the board in the unit, had that happen a couple times when I still ran the PD's. Fish Lectronics or the Motor Clinic will get you fixed up or supply the parts you need.Board is an easy thing to replace, and as long as no other damage should fix the issue. Never ran the co pilots always ran the pedal on my old powerdrives and normaly went through a pedal a season or every other if I was lucky. Own a Terrova now and love haveing the option of remote or pedal, I still use the pedal most of the time, hard to make remote adjustments since I cast 99.9% of the time but remote is handy for fine tuning speed adjustments and for the anchor lock wen we get a fish hooked.

[Surface Tension]

Yes you can buy the parts but I'd bring it in along with the foot control and have it fixed.

That way they can test it out for you

You don't want to put parts in and let the smoke out again.

[BoxMN]

We use Fish Lectronics when ours goes bad, and that is unfortunately more than I would hope They are great when they are working! Maybe newer ones are better, our latest is a '02, so can't really complain too bad, had it fixed twice.

[EBass]

Motor Clinic - they are off Old Shakopee Rd so not that far from you. Great service, pricing and turn around. Terry is the man over there for Minnkota's!

[MuskieJunkie]

I brought it to Terry at the motor clinic like you guys suggested and you were right he was great to work with. The control board fried AND my compass was leaking, $257 with tax. HOWEVER he takes trades (even on broken motors like mine) so I'm trading it in for a Terrova with Ipilot. I was going to sell mine this spring to buy a terrova anyway so this didn't turn out too bad.

Thanks for advice