Trolling motor showing symptoms of intermittent short/open circuit

[jtexas]

MotorGuide 3, 12V 36lb foot controlled. Whenever the pedal is in the full heel-down position, which is powerhead rotated completely to port, it fails to respond to the on-switch. Toe-down just a little and hit the switch, it starts, and then heel-down it keeps running. Just won't start spinning in that position.<br /><br />I checked the connections under the pedal, cleaned some corrosion off a couple, but symptoms persist. I'm guessing it must be inside the shaft?<br /><br />Has anybody disassembled one and lived to tell the tale? I'm a reasonably confident if not competent do-it-yourselfer with a working multimeter - just wonder if I'd be wasting my time to try & open 'er up.<br /><br />I'd be real sad if I had to buy a new trolling motor, even sadder if I had to fish without one.<br /><br />Any opinions?<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw

 

[OBJ]

Re: Trolling motor showing symptoms of intermittent short/open circuit

Couple things you can do jtexas....<br /><br />Take the top of the motor off....that's the head part that all the wires and stuff go to. Take a look at the wires where they go down into the shaft. They twist a lot here. Could also be one is too tight and pulling at a connection.<br /><br />In the foot control, make sure nothin' is getting pinched. Also look for lose connectins to the switches.<br /><br />What to do while the head is off, go to the full heel down position and hit the go button. If nothin happens, start pushing and tugging at wires in the above mentioned areas. Should find the problem or get close to it.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Trolling motor showing symptoms of intermittent short/open circuit

Thanks OBJ, I did go over the pedal with a fine-tooth comb, that being the most accessible part of the mechanism. I'll be a happy camper if I don't have to disassemble the powerhead. and if its just the wiring and not some silly transistor or something. <br /><br />I'll be checking it out sometime in the next couple weeks.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Trolling motor showing symptoms of intermittent short/open circuit

Took the top off the head, didn't see any stressed wires or anything, and couldn't replicate the symptoms. Reassembled, still couldn't replicate the symptoms. I'll keep using it but if the problem recurs I'm going to have to do something!<br /><br />But I did notice that the Constant/Momentary toggle switch has no effect - it's always in momentary mode regardless. I'm gonna price those switches & think about replacing it. Meanwhile, could it be related to my original question?<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw

 

[imported_ranger_6]

Re: Trolling motor showing symptoms of intermittent short/open circuit

hey jtexas, I have a motorguide foot controlled also and ran into the same problem. I have dissambled it before and I don't recommend doing it. there are a bunch of little springs that pop out that take a miracle to put back in. Good new is that for me, my problem was in the pedal. I had it in the heel down position and it cut out on me. when I inspected I noticed that when I go to the heel down it puts a good strain on the wires underneath the pedal. but that wasnt' the only thing. Second, my toggle switch. I took it out and dissasembled it. noticed that there were bad connections in there also. replaced toggle and haven't had problem since. hope this helps.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Trolling motor showing symptoms of intermittent short/open circuit

thanks, ranger. it worked fine Saturday so whatever I did must have relieved some pressure on a wire or something.<br /><br />The toggle is something I can tackle; when you say "replaced" you mean you got a new one, or were able to repair & reinstall the original?<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw

 

[gand77]

Re: Trolling motor showing symptoms of intermittent short/open circuit

i have a evinrude trolling motor doing the same thing and the problem turned out to be the circuit breaker/fuse at the battery.i replaced it and solved the problem--good luck