MotorGuide 3-pin 12/24 problems

marineman16

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
37
My trolling motor quit working. It is a 3-pin motorguide brute that is hooked up to a run/charge switch. To start, the motor DOES work when wired directly to the battery in 12v. No fuses are blowing (or blown). I replaced the run/charge switch and tested it. everything looks perfect so far.

The fun part: I am getting power to the back side of the plug, in 12v in charge and 24v in run, just as it should be. I can pickup the same voltage in the front side of the plug, where I plug in the motor. Somehow, it still will not run. Does anyone have anything else I can try? Could there be a ground or something I am missing? I don't get how I can run wires from a better directly to the motor and it work, yet it won't work when I plug it in, though I get the same voltage using either approach.

Help is much appreciated!
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: MotorGuide 3-pin 12/24 problems

Just because you pick up 12 volts and 24 volts does not mean the connections match the plug on the motor cable. You should measure 24 volts across whatever pins the red and black wires are connected to. You should measure 12 volts across whatever pins the orange and black wires are connected to. The red, orange and black wires on the receptacle must allow connection to the red, orange and black connections on the trolling motor plug.
 

marineman16

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
37
Re: MotorGuide 3-pin 12/24 problems

Yes, I have done both. I have the plug cover on the trolling motor cord opened up and can read the correct voltage at each pin (the 12 and 24 volt). The problem lies deeper than that.

I cannot for the life of my figure out what the problem might be. I should also point out that I personally went through the entire setup to confirm that the wiring schematic was followed correctly. It was, and still is.

I also have two identical trolling motors and get the same results no matter which motor I plug in. It is definitely a problem on the boat end, not the motor. I still wonder if there is a ground problem or something. Surely I'm not the only person to ever experience this problem...

As always, thanks for the help!
 

DRIFTER_016

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 5, 2008
Messages
360
Re: MotorGuide 3-pin 12/24 problems

Check your ground (black) lead for continuity.
Also make sure all the connections are clean.
 
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