Trolling Motor Problems - need some advice

[montanagriz]

My buddy has a 12v MinnKota Bowmount Trolling Motor on his 16' Tracker and late last year he suddenly lost power to the prop. The motor still has power to steer side to side, but for some reason no power is reaching the prop. We took it apart, but were unable to get it working. Does anybody have any ideas what could be wrong with it? Are there fuses somewhere in the motor that could have blown? We would like to try and fix it ourselves before we have to take it in. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[HawgTide]

I'm not familiar with the Minnkotas, but it sounds like a sheer pin. I broke one on my Motor Guide last year. If he still has power but the prop is not turning, that could be the problem. If so, that's good news, usually less than a couple of dollars to replace.

[Fisher Dave]

errr .. do you know for a fact there is no power reaching the lower unit? Or are you just assuming. If you have power going to the switch(speed control), and no power coming from the switch at any speed setting.. you have a switch issue.. replace the switch.. If you have power going through the switch and your prop isnt moving, you have issues inside of the lower unit itself. I just had this issue with 2 trolling motors so I got a little bit af a crash course to say the least... both of my motors started smoking on me when the prop wasnt moving.. so be very careful on whatever you attempt.. dont need any injuries, or electrical fires on your boat.

Before you do anything, I would recommend taking the pedal(foot control model) apart and seeing if you had any loose connections, or anything interfearing with the speed control contacts. If this is a tiller steer type model, the switch will be in the head of the motor .. once again be sure all connections are solid and not coroded(sp?) .. when your sure you have solid connection everywhere, see if your motor takes off by leaving your motor on a setting where the prop should move.. then just quickly touch the power cables to the battery.. if there is a short, you should be able to avoid a fire this way... if all is very well .. your prop should go. If your motor does go, be sure it can turn off with the speed control as it should when operating properly(whatever it did from factory)... If it wont turn off there is likely an issue in the lower unit.

If it proves to be something in the lower unit, I would recommend taking it to a proper repair facility.. Motor Clinic, Fish Lectronics.. etc. I think the anoka shop works on this stuff too.

I have never attempted to take a lower unit apart(electric motor), so I couldnt tell you what to expect.

[Fisher Dave]

I guess I didnt ask if you could actually hear the motor running and the prop wasnt turning.. if the drive motor is running and the prop doesnt turn check the shear pin.. but if the motor doesnt run at all... my previous post might help

[montanagriz]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help. It seems like it might be the switch, cause you can hear a light clicking sound when you push down the floor pedal but nothing happens. It doesn't sound like the motor is running in the lower unit. I'm almost positive its not the shear pin. My buddy lives up in Monticello so I might head up there today to help him work on it. Thanks for the all your replies.