Bought a 24v 80lb thrust Minn Kota in Aug of 2007. The cost was around $850 not counting the mount etc.
In Aug 2010, a slight turn of the tiller to slow in reverse yielded a haywire response that threw my boat into concrete fenders at high speed. Yes, of course it was witnessed by land huggers who witnessed a woman slam their boat into the fenders like an idiot.
I can imagine what they said to themselves.
Anyhoo.
I was able to kick the plug out of the floor and kill the motor that was not responding to the tiller.
When you raise your tiller handle to 45 degrees, look underneath and you will see a 1/2" white ribbon cable which attached to a memory board. It has like 4 wires embedded in the ribbon vinyl.
Check your ribbon for "pinchie" issues. My ribbon had severed leaving only 1 wire connected which is why my motor took off in high speed. I had no idea this ribbon cable existed let alone was getting pinched and tortured.
The repair was $235 [$170 parts, $50 labor and tax]. I went to Minn Kota service center at Bob's Discount in Deland. Had motor back in 2 days. I got new computer board and hand tiller. The tiller was unexpected and I was glad because the wear and tear on my tiller took off the speed markings on the tiller, so the new one has markings again!
I lifted the handle of the new tiller and "ugh" there was that white cable again! THIS time I will ensure it is not getting pinched, and if it does it goes back to the shop.
Minn Kota only has a 2 yr warranty.
In Aug 2010, a slight turn of the tiller to slow in reverse yielded a haywire response that threw my boat into concrete fenders at high speed. Yes, of course it was witnessed by land huggers who witnessed a woman slam their boat into the fenders like an idiot.
I can imagine what they said to themselves.Anyhoo.
I was able to kick the plug out of the floor and kill the motor that was not responding to the tiller.
When you raise your tiller handle to 45 degrees, look underneath and you will see a 1/2" white ribbon cable which attached to a memory board. It has like 4 wires embedded in the ribbon vinyl.
Check your ribbon for "pinchie" issues. My ribbon had severed leaving only 1 wire connected which is why my motor took off in high speed. I had no idea this ribbon cable existed let alone was getting pinched and tortured.
The repair was $235 [$170 parts, $50 labor and tax]. I went to Minn Kota service center at Bob's Discount in Deland. Had motor back in 2 days. I got new computer board and hand tiller. The tiller was unexpected and I was glad because the wear and tear on my tiller took off the speed markings on the tiller, so the new one has markings again!
I lifted the handle of the new tiller and "ugh" there was that white cable again! THIS time I will ensure it is not getting pinched, and if it does it goes back to the shop.
Minn Kota only has a 2 yr warranty.
