I have a Motorguide Tour Series 70 lbs thrust trolling motor. It has recently started barely turning at all at any speed at first. After a while, it will start spinning at full speed for the rest of the trip. Batteries are good. Plug is good. Prop is clear of debris/line. It is a hand control with foot switches to trigger power. There doesn't seem to be any hesitation in the switches starting any movement even if weak. Any ideas what to check first to try and fix the problem? 

Check the armature brushes.

Tom

Thanks Tom

How old is it?  If more than 5 years or so it sounds like a brush kit is needed.

17 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

How old is it?  If more than 5 years or so it sounds like a brush kit is needed.

I don't know for sure but it is pretty old. It is a Motorguide Bassmaster BASS Digital Variable Speed trolling motor. 70 lbs thrust. How hard is that to do on your own? Are there problems with resealing it?

 

4 hours ago, Don Harris said:

I don't know for sure but it is pretty old. It is a Motorguide Bassmaster BASS Digital Variable Speed trolling motor. 70 lbs thrust. How hard is that to do on your own? Are there problems with resealing it?

 

 

It is a digital, so it isn't 25 years old, but I'm going to wager at least 10-15, maybe more.

 

I replaced mine in a minn kota.  After taking the prop off, it is 2 screws to take the back end of the lower unit off.  The armiture slides right out.  The brushes are burried underneath that, each connected to a spade connector.  It is about a 20 minutes job all in.  Mine didn't require any new rings or seals, but if yours are as old as I suspect you might want to just replace them too.  The harder part will be the parts.  Motorguide isn't making trolling motors anymore and their parts are limited on their website.  You'll have to find an aftermarket third party to source the parts (trollingmotorparts.com maybe?).  I don't see your model listed there so you'll be best to call them.  Their website isn't simple.  

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

It is a digital, so it isn't 25 years old, but I'm going to wager at least 10-15, maybe more.

 

I replaced mine in a minn kota.  After taking the prop off, it is 2 screws to take the back end of the lower unit off.  The armiture slides right out.  The brushes are burried underneath that, each connected to a spade connector.  It is about a 20 minutes job all in.  Mine didn't require any new rings or seals, but if yours are as old as I suspect you might want to just replace them too.  The harder part will be the parts.  Motorguide isn't making trolling motors anymore and their parts are limited on their website.  You'll have to find an aftermarket third party to source the parts (trollingmotorparts.com maybe?).  I don't see your model listed there so you'll be best to call them.  Their website isn't simple.  

Thank you.

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

It is a digital, so it isn't 25 years old, but I'm going to wager at least 10-15, maybe more.

 

I replaced mine in a minn kota.  After taking the prop off, it is 2 screws to take the back end of the lower unit off.  The armiture slides right out.  The brushes are burried underneath that, each connected to a spade connector.  It is about a 20 minutes job all in.  Mine didn't require any new rings or seals, but if yours are as old as I suspect you might want to just replace them too.  The harder part will be the parts.  Motorguide isn't making trolling motors anymore and their parts are limited on their website.  You'll have to find an aftermarket third party to source the parts (trollingmotorparts.com maybe?).  I don't see your model listed there so you'll be best to call them.  Their website isn't simple.  

What kind of seal is needed to close it back up to keep water out?

1 hour ago, Don Harris said:

Thank you.

What kind of seal is needed to close it back up to keep water out?

 

 

this is diagram for a Minn kota but they should all be similar. Part 5 is the external plate that comes off the back. 18 is the seal. Thinking about it, my brushes kit came with a new seal I think. You don’t take 3 or 19 off. 9 is the brushes, 1 is the armature.