'96 Motorguide THREE ....weird issue....HELP!

[NCSignguy]

Hi folks.....
Just bought a nice little bass boat and took it down to the lake for a shakedown. Everything worked great, but noticed that the trolling motor runs in reverse! I cannot, for the life of me find a switch or any way of taking it OUT of reverse........ the prop spins backwards. Wiring looks fine, the motor is solid and strong otherwise. It's a Motorguide THREE, 24 lb., I believe. Any insight appreciated and thanks!

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: '96 Motorguide THREE ....weird issue....HELP!

Wow, your first post. Welcome to the forum.

Since I can't locate anything on a MG trolling motor with that name, I'm going to have to take wild guesses. I bought a new trolling motor about that time, and it was called the motorguide stealth 24lb thrust. That being said,

Does it plug into a plug in the boat or directly to the battery? If it plugs into a plug on the boat then I suspect the wiring to the plug is backwards. That would be the only thing that would make sense to me. Does it have a foot control or is it a control on the top of the motor? If it's a foot control, wires have been crossed inside the foot.

I would look those two places first.

I know it sounds stupid, but could the propeller be on backwards?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: '96 Motorguide THREE ....weird issue....HELP!

reverse the cables, it runs on direct current. with the cables swapped the motor will run either way.

 

[NCSignguy]

Re: '96 Motorguide THREE ....weird issue....HELP!

It's a foot controlled unit, and plugs into a 'receptacle' on the front of the boat. I will absolutely take a look at the wiring from the plug back to the battery.....
I didn't know the prop could even be installed backwards.... seemed like a one way road, but I will take a look there, too.
Thanks to all!

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: '96 Motorguide THREE ....weird issue....HELP!

It's a foot controlled unit, and plugs into a 'receptacle' on the front of the boat. I will absolutely take a look at the wiring from the plug back to the battery.....
I didn't know the prop could even be installed backwards.... seemed like a one way road, but I will take a look there, too.
Thanks to all!

I don't see how the prop could be installed backwards as for there is supposed to be a slot in the back of it where it seats on a pin/shaft. It's either in the wiring or something got crossed up in the foot control. I have 2 motorguide III units a, I've been fortunate enought not to have a problem out of eith one of them.

 

[KLINDWW]

Re: '96 Motorguide THREE ....weird issue....HELP!

It is positively a positive, negative issue. Just a small attempt at humor. The leads have to be swapped somewhere, either on the boat or the foot control.

 

[NCSignguy]

Re: '96 Motorguide THREE ....weird issue....HELP!

Yup - that was the culprit.....backwards at the battery end.... Thanks, guys!