Fishing while traveling on your boat can be a lot of fun. Though, a major thing that should be kept in mind is your location.
This is why companies have come up with GPS systems that can be used to ensure that you know where you are going.
The Minn Kota I-pilot motor is one of the best devices that you can go for as the spot lock feature helps anglers manage their location without the use of any extra equipment.
This is why anglers go the extra mile to get this GPS motor installed on their units.
So, if you’re also looking for something to help you manage your fishing spot, then Minn Kota I-Pilot is the perfect device for you. With that said, there have been a few reports regarding Minn Kota I Pilot remote not working.
So, let’s cover a few methods that can help you fix this issue with your Minn Kota I-Pilot remote.
Make sure that you go through these carefully so that the problems can be fixed as well as prevented in the future.
Fixing Minn Kota i-Pilot Remote Not Working:
- Verifying That Batteries Are Installed Properly
The Minn Kota i-Pilot remote is a useful device that comes in handy whenever you decide to go out for a fishing trip.
One of the best features of the equipment is its ability to be controlled from a distance. Although if you notice that your remote control is not working at all then this can be quite annoying.
When it comes to this, the first thing that should always be checked is the batteries on the remote.
These are provided along with the product so that you don’t have to buy them from another source. The only thing that you need to do is install the batteries inside your remote.
However, people often start complaining that the remote is still not functioning even after they have installed the batteries.
When it comes to this, you should note that there is a high chance that the batteries might not have been installed properly.
Start by removing the batteries and then checking if they were installed in the correct position. The next thing that you need to do is ensure that the batteries are installed tightly.
Most people should hear a clicking sound once the batteries are in place.
If you haven’t heard this sound, then try applying additional pressure so that the batteries can sit in place.
This should be enough to fix your problem but if the step does not work then move on to the other solutions provided below.
- Replace The Batteries With New Ones
Low voltage from your battery is one of the leading issues that can lead to the Minn Kota I-Pilot remote not working.
So, if you’re in a situation where the remote won’t respond even after you try to turn it on, then there is a good chance that your batteries have gone bad.
Usually, you won’t run into this problem for many months after purchasing new batteries. However, there have been reports where users complained about bad batteries a few weeks after purchasing them.
So, just install a battery replacement in your remote and try to operate your motor.
The issue will be fixed at this stage if you’re lucky, and you won’t have to bother with any other solutions.
Use the owner’s manual if you don’t know how to replace the battery on your Minn Kota I-Pilot remote properly.
Aside from this, one more thing that should be kept in mind when fixing problems with the Minn Kota i-Pilot remote is that the batteries being used are compatible with the device.
You can easily check the voltage ratings on your older batteries and then compare them with the new ones.
As long as these are within similar voltage ratings, your remote should start up without any further issues.
Testing the resistance ratings on the remote is another useful way of avoiding issues as you can confirm the status of your batteries.
- The Battery Connection Might Be Clogged
If you are someone who has been using the Min Kota i-Pilot for a long time, then there is a high chance that your problem might be from a connection clog.
When using the remote controller, people will notice that dust starts to enter it. This is why you should keep the device clean.
No matter what you do, the dust will slowly continue to collect inside the remote. With time this can start causing clogs which results in problems like the remote not working.
You should note that there is a chance that your batteries might be working but they are being prevented by the debris.
To confirm this, the only thing people need to do is open up the battery compartment on their Minn Kota i-Pilot remote and then take out the batteries.
You can now start cleaning the connections carefully and ensure that all of the dust is removed.
Staying cautious is essential as people can sometimes break the connectors on the remote. If this happens then your only option is to get a replacement.
Hence make sure that you avoid running into a problem like this and clean the connectors with care.
Keeping the remote clean is one of the best ways to ensure that problems like these can be prevented. You can even put this inside a cover to ensure that most of the dust will be blocked.
- Remote Not Paired With GPS
If you’re sure that there are no issues with the battery, then you need to go through the pairing process again.
As long as the power at the plug is perfect, you can fix the remote issue by pairing your remote with the motor.
If you are having trouble trying to test the power ratings on the device, then check if the GPS is switched on.
This helps in confirming that the device is running, and you can then proceed to pair this up with the remote control.
So, just access the configuration settings on your remote and try to link it with the motor again. It can also help if you try to reset the device before pairing it with the motor.
All instructions on the pairing procedure are mentioned in the owner’s manual so, refer o that if you’re not familiar with the steps.
Hopefully, the issue will be fixed at this stage, and you won’t have to go through more troubleshooting methods.
The pairing process is fairly easy but if you are still having trouble then contacting Minn Kota can be your best option.
- Soft Resetting The Remote
People should note that the pairing process can also sometimes fail. If this happens then the user will be notified by an error on the display of their GPS.
The error codes can vary depending on the problem you are getting so make sure that you check them carefully.
Most of the error codes can be fixed by simple troubleshooting steps that are provided in the manual. However, sometimes the issue can be from bad memory.
When it comes to this, there is a high chance that your device might be having trouble running smoothly.
You can first shut down the system and then leave it for a few minutes. After 5 to 10 minutes have passed, start the Minn Kota i-Pilot again and it should now start responding.
The main reason why a soft reset works are that the memory on your device might be clogged.
- Checking The Circuit Breakers
One more thing that can be checked on the Minn Kota i-Pilot is its circuit breakers. These are installed to ensure that the device cuts off its connection in case of any fluctuations in current.
The security feature comes in handy often as it can keep the motherboard protected.
You can check the status of the circuit breakers to ensure that these are working fine in most cases.
If you notice that the circuit breakers are switched off, then simply flip the button to get your device running. On the other hand, if the circuit breakers are fried then you will have to get these replaced.
- Call the Support Team For Minn Kota
If the remote is still stuck in the same issue, then there is a good chance that you’re dealing with a defective remote. The best thing you can do in this situation is to call Minn Kota and explain your issue to them.
They will refer you to the nearest dealer, and you will be able to secure a remote replacement for your trolling motor.
So, ensure the involvement of experts if you are not aware of how to fix the problem with your Minn Kota remote.
If your motor is under warranty, then you will be able to get a replacement for free.
Otherwise, you will have to pay a minimal replacement fee and after that just pair the new remote with your motor. Hopefully, this information will help you manage remote problems.
still does not tell me how to turn remote off or if it times out after a period of time when not in use.
My remote will not deploy or stow the motor. Everything else works. Any help would be appreciated
Most of the functions on my remote work but not all. A couple days ago while fishing the propeller would no longer turn, but the remote indicated that it was working at the speed selected and also indicated that the speed increased when adjusting the speed on the remote, but actually the prop was not turn. Today while I was working on it the propeller turned and adjusted speed when requested. The motor would not turn when requested.
I connected the (wired) foot controller and it controlled everything just fine. Any ideas of other things to check?