40lb Thrust power drive problem Help!!!

[EMW73]

Ok I have a 40lb Thrust Minn Kota with power drive control here is a pic of the foot contol. http://www.northlandmarine.com/image...tPedalAssy.jpg
So the problem is everything was working fine last summer now this winter went to take it out for some steelhead and the motor works fine but wouldn't turn one way (left or right) cant remember which. however now it wont turn left or right had to steer it with my hand. The motor go's fine but wont steer left or right. Pedal problem or???

 

[Teamster]

Sometimes it's in the pedal,..

Try taking it apart and cleaning the contacts,..

It can be a bit of a bear to get apart and put back together,...

There are some springs that need to be carefully unhooked and rehooked in the process,...

DON'T LET THE SPRINGS GO FLYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and don't ask how I learned that),..............lol

I've fixed a couple for friends and both had dirty contacts,..

Maybe check the youtube for a video on the process.

The good thing is it doesn't cost anything to do yourself,...

 

[EMW73]

Thanks I'll try that first. Yeah I actually started to try and take the pedal apart while on the water and though this isn't a good idea. Let say its not the leads on the pedal....does something in the motor on these things that ever go bad that would cause this problem. I took the boat out once this winter and it would only turn right. Then took it out a couple days later after pulling the cover on the electrical box to check connections in there and it wouldn't turn either way. And yes I hooked up everything that way it was after checking the connections.

 

[gm280]

I second that "Fly away" statement. If I ever really clean my shop real closely, I bet I'll fine a ton of "C" clips "E" clips and springs that managed to stay hidden for years now... Even when I try to cover the section as I remove things, the only stop not covered correctly is their escape route... :facepalm:

If you are asking of the motor in the foot could be the steering problem, I'd say NO. The turning (steering) happens in the head section on most all trolling motors. The lower section usually only has the drive motor and windings and wires for the motor.

 

[EMW73]

I guess I'm asking if it isn't dirty leads in the foot pedal what else could it be?

 

[Silvertip]

Minnkota Power Drive foot pedals use membrane style switch contacts. What happens is some folks seem to stomp the be jeepers out of the foot pedal. The buttons you step on do not directly actuate a switch. There is protrusion on the button that pushes on the membrane which closes two contacts. Harsh use can rupture the membrane, water/moisture gets in and contacts corrode to point where contact can no longer be made. I doubt very much the problem is in the steering motor itself. Do a very careful check of the main foot pedal connector and verify the contacts are clean. You said you already had the cover off the head and saw nothing wrong there. If you know you know your way around DC circuits you can directly wire a battery to the steering motor to prove it is or is not functional. If it does work, then turn your attention to the foot pedal. New pedals are not budget busters. The circuit board in the foot pedal is not complex but costs darned near as much as the entire pedal.

 

[Teamster]

Both of the pedals I fixed were acting the same way,........

A simple cleaning in the pedal and all has been good for a couple of years,........

 

[EMW73]

Thanks guys when I get a day off I will take that pedal apart and check those leads and go from there.

 

[EMW73]

Thanks very much guys. Sure enough I took that pedal apart and was sure that was the issue first seeing all the dirt and debris on the contacts. I cleaned them off put it back together hooked it up and it worked as good as new! I'm really happy that didnt cost me any money to fix because the same time I took my boat out I hit something in the river and messed up the prop on my 25hp Johnson. So thanks again!

 

[Teamster]

Glad to hear it worked out,......