Trolling motors just quit. HELP

[rkuster]

I'm looking for any advice on Minkota trolling motors. Last week I was doing some bass fishing in the weeds and the next thing I know my bow mount trolling motor just quits. A few days ago I was bass fishing, again in the weeds, using my transom mount trolling motor. And quess waht it also quits on me. I noticed a puff of smoke this time. I said a few not so nice words and just packed it in for the day. The next day I decided to pull my transom mount trolling motor apart, seeing how it's pretty old any way. I expected to find a burnt motor, or windings, or something. The motor and brushes looked clean and in good shape. I was wondering if anybody out there has any experience or adivce. I was wondering if it could just be the switch in the head. By the way the bow mount motor is a Mikota Power Drive and the transom mount is a Minkota Endura 50.

[prov1900]

Did you check the fuse yet for the bowmount? I believe there is an in-line fuse for that...but then again either you have bad luck, or there is something messed up with the electrical system, explaining your "smoky" transom mount. Just an idea. There are some pros that will be chiming in shortly, good luck. (How new/old is your bowmount? That may make a difference in the answer you get)

[rkuster]

I checked the fuse it's ok. The bow mount trolling motor is only three years old. The rest of the electrical system seems to be ok.

[icehousebob]

Question... The bow mount motor, does it have a foot control? My brother-in-law had one that quit and the SoDak dealer told him it wasn't worth fixing and to buy a new one. I took it to the Minnkota service center and the tech tightened the screws on the bottom of the foot contoller and it worked fine. Total fix time,30 seconds. Check it, that might be the problem.

[Sandmannd]

You can go to Minn Kota's web site http://www.minnkotamotors.com/ and look under service. There's a few places around the cities that do repairs on them. It may be just something simple like the pedal as mentions before.