I'd contact Minn-Kota directly and see if they're willing to do anything.

That sounds horrible.  #getoutyourwallet

Sounds like the board got smoked.  I had this happen to a 12V, PowerDrive about 10 years ago within a month of buying it.  Scheels in Grand Forks (authorized repair site) fixed it, then it happened again almost a year to the date and at nearly the exact same spot on Sak.  Warranty fixed it again.

Seems to me the price tag for the fix was about $150 back then if it were on my own dime.  I'd bet it's closer to 250 today.

Regardless, only a repair shop can tell you exactly what it would cost today to fix yours.  With the cost of electric motors, you are probably best off trying to get this one fixed.

When mine went up in flames, it had really pretty blue/green/red smoke.  How colorful was yours?

Scheels will work on these, worth getting an estimant before just buying a new one

Mine was just regular colored smoke unfortunately. Kind of a whitish gray, but stunk like burned electronics. Also when I unplugged it from the boat, the rubber on the plug was slightly melted! I unplugged it as soon as I saw the smoke.

 give Arland at AG repair a cal, he is in Mandan and does good work. Screw taking it to Scheels and letting one of their flunkys work on it. Arland is an authorized dealer and Mechanic. 701-471-9071

 give Arland at AG repair a cal, he is in Mandan and does good work. Screw taking it to Scheels and letting one of their flunkys work on it. Arland is an authorized dealer and Mechanic. 701-471-9071

 I have learned that it is always best to unplug the trolling motor before you plug your boat in. The #1 cause to frying your board is due to having the TM plugged in while charging your batteries.

simmsjs Said:
 I have learned that it is always best to unplug the trolling motor before you plug your boat in. The #1 cause to frying your board is due to having the TM plugged in while charging your batteries.

I never leave it plugged in when not in use out of the water.  It is also much safer to have it unplugged so you don't chop something off in the prop when messing around the boat.

I have the V2PD and I was quoted $130 parts and labor to replace. Not ture what model you have but I bet it would be about the same.

simmsjs Said:
 I have learned that it is always best to unplug the trolling motor before you plug your boat in. The #1 cause to frying your board is due to having the TM plugged in while charging your batteries.

Always unplug when charging.

I was up in Canada fishing last week and my trolling motor (minnkota genesis) kept turning so far to the left that the arrow on top was pointed straight back. It did this randomly even if I didnt touch anything. The only way I could get it to stop in the middle of it turning completely around was to tap the left arrow on my foot pedal and them turn it back to the the direction I wanted to go. It was pretty damn windy and this kept happening so you could imagine my frustration. I was using words that would make a stripper blush, as it went on like this for three days. Anyone ever have this problem? Or know a possible solution? I realize I should probably buy a new one but if it's an inexpensive fix I would rather keep it as it's been a good trolling motor for years. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hey marbleyes, that was happening on my minnkota maxim. It was on the boat when I bought it. I decided to upgrade because you could not put a co pilot or anything on it. So about a month ago I went and baught a brand new 36v 101 ipilot. It was pretty sweet until I went across the lake one day and it was a little choppy and The fricken thing deployed on its own and the "indestructible" shaft snapped rite in half. Minn Kota said they will fix it with refurbished parts but it will void my warrantee. They said I should have had the shaft collar slid all the way to the drive unit. Wich i probably should have, but who does that every time. I told the guy they should not deploy on their own, Ive had terrible luck this year!

Jake G Said:
Hey marbleyes, that was happening on my minnkota maxim. It was on the boat when I bought it. I decided to upgrade because you could not put a co pilot or anything on it. So about a month ago I went and baught a brand new 36v 101 ipilot. It was pretty sweet until I went across the lake one day and it was a little choppy and The fricken thing deployed on its own and the "indestructible" shaft snapped rite in half. Minn Kota said they will fix it with refurbished parts but it will void my warrantee. They said I should have had the shaft collar slid all the way to the drive unit. Wich i probably should have, but who does that every time. I told the guy they should not deploy on their own, Ive had terrible luck this year!

I use a ram rod trolling motor mount to hold the head of the 101 terrova while i am bouncing across the lake. This keeps the head from jumping all over, and would hold it in place if it was to deploy. Just an idea for ya.

 

simmsjs Said:
 give Arland at AG repair a cal, he is in Mandan and does good work. Screw taking it to Scheels and letting one of their flunkys work on it. Arland is an authorized dealer and Mechanic. 701-471-9071

+1

I have bought rebuilt trolling motors from Arlan and had him fix my old ones. He tells it how it is and doesn't screw you. I am very impressed with his business