Skip to content

Trolling motor running backward...

Featured Replies

Ok I'm stuck.

My trolling motor on the new boat is running backward.  Yes...BACKWARD.  Dunno why...it doesn't even have a selection for backward.

My batteries are hooked up correctly near as I can tell, and all the wiring in the front seems to be in order.

Any ideas?

Motorguide bow mount 40lb

Be careful just changing the wires at the battery, if anything else is hooked up to that wiring circuit it might damage it, like the locator. Check the wiring on the plug for the trolling motor, that is more than likely where the problem is.

If your motor has a foot pedal, the directional indicator may be 180 degrees out.

My new MK was running backward. The head was installed 180* out. Now by backwards do you mean when you try to go forward you go back and vice versa. Or do you mean the prop actually turns the wrong direction?

  • Author

Pretty interesting, I took another trolling motor (I have another one handy) and hooked it up to the same wires, it runs in the correct direction.  This one runs backward.  

I flopped the wires and it runs correctly, just a PITA.

I'll make sure my locator is off that circuit.  Thanks for the advice fellas.

  • 10 years later...

New here ,  just bought a vintage bow mount 12/24 Evinrude 1977 era , replaced the power leads , they were really short , and that's it , 3 wires red white black pretty simple , attached black to negative,  white to positive , blade spins in reverse (clockwise) if i swap the leads it spins correctly (counter clockwise) , is there another way to switch polarity other than at the battery. Thanks for any help

  • Super User

The switch should be done at a location along the run unique to the tm.  Easiest is usually at the plug on the bow.  If you just have a splice no plug you would do it there.

This is mounted to a 14' aluminum boat , built a small deck at the bow , and have two batteries wired parallel, (12volts) I have a minkota transom mount trolling motor on it also , nothing else attached to the batteries,  the minkota spins correctly 

  • Super User

10 year old thread....wow!

Reverse the wires at the TM on/off switch. DC current only has positive and negative, if the motor turns backwards the switch is wired backwards.

Tom

It's the first link to pop up on Google,  "why is my trolling motor running backwards" so I joined the forum lol , I'll check the on/off switch when I get home 

  • Super User
23 hours ago, bigjer921 said:

It's the first link to pop up on Google,  "why is my trolling motor running backwards" so I joined the forum lol , I'll check the on/off switch when I get home 

No problem at all.  I have seen suggestions that posters do a search on a topic before posting.  You just happened to find a very old thread containing your subject.  :)  Welcome to Bass Resource!!

Welcome, glad you found us. Lots of good info here !!!!

  • 1 year later...

So I have minn Kota edge 45 trolling motor and the issue is that the head pointer or direction pointer is not point to the right direction , is like it’s pointing straight forward and the propeller is running backwards, does anybody know why is this ?

  • Super User

Notcsurecabout your TM make and model, most have a set screw or pin that locks the motor to the shaft. Your motor is 180 degrees out of orientation. Loosen the screw or remove the pin and rotate motor 180 degreed and retighten or reinsert the pin.

Tom

At least on a MG tm the head with the arrow comes off with screws from the bottom of the head.   Once separated, align the arrow with head and reattach the top to the motor head.  

  • 1 year later...
On 2/7/2018 at 9:47 PM, bigjer921 said:

New here ,  just bought a vintage bow mount 12/24 Evinrude 1977 era , replaced the power leads , they were really short , and that's it , 3 wires red white black pretty simple , attached black to negative,  white to positive , blade spins in reverse (clockwise) if i swap the leads it spins correctly (counter clockwise) , is there another way to switch polarity other than at the battery. Thanks for any help

I have the same problem with a 12/24 volt Evinrude foot control bow mount . When I run it on 12 volt it runs ok but when I flip the switch to 24 volt it runs backwards. 

I'm lost on how to fix it.

Any help out there? Thanks

6 minutes ago, Dave Herzfeldt said:

I have the same problem with a 12/24 volt Evinrude foot control bow mount . When I run it on 12 volt it runs ok but when I flip the switch to 24 volt it runs backwards. 

I'm lost on how to fix it.

Any help out there? Thanks

 

I have a problem with my Evinrude trolling motor.

It runs fine in 12 volt but when I switch it to 24 volt it runs backwards.

I'm lost

  • 2 months later...

I installed a bow mounted trolling motor on my 13ft boston whaler. However, I installed it on the stern. We rotated the head around so it points in the right direction. However, I have noticed that when I am going forward it is very slow but when I am having the trolling motor pull me backwards it goes much quicker. Is there anyway to fix that?

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.