Minn Kota Terrova Won’t Turn On? Try These 4 Fixes

minn kota terrova won't turn on
minn kota terrova won’t turn on

Trolling motors from Minn Kota have dominated the market for years.

While these aren’t the most affordable units in the market, the perfect mix of performance and accessibility makes Minn Kota one of the only options for anglers.

So, if you’re looking for a safe investment, then it might be a good idea to put money into Minn Kota.

The company has tons of models that you can choose between. These can sometimes make people get confused when trying to purchase a motor.

This is why it is best that you go through all of the different models to find one that will last you a long time.

With that said, there have been some reports regarding Minn Kota Terrova not turning on. This is a great device but the problems on it can make it annoying at times.

If you’re in the same boat and your Minn Kota Terrova won’t turn on, then the following solutions should help you get around the problem.

Going through these carefully should also allow people to ensure that problems like these can be avoided in the future.

Fixing Minn Kota Terrova Won’t Turn On:

  1. Fix The Minn Kota Terrova Remote

Most of the time, this issue can be traced back to a defective remote. So, if you’re unable to get the Minn Kota Terrova to turn on, there is a good chance that there is something wrong with the remote.

You can try your luck with resetting the batteries by taking them out for a few minutes and putting them back in. However, if that doesn’t work, then you’ll need to get a remote replacement.

Many users have reported that they were able to fix this issue by inserting the batteries backward for a few seconds to remove charge build-up in the system.

So, you should also try to follow a similar approach to see if your remote can be fixed without ordering a replacement.

Additionally, another thing that you should check is if the batteries were installed properly. Some people don’t insert the cells properly which results in the remote not functioning.

Make sure that you press the batteries tightly until you hear a clicking sound.

This helps in ensuring that the batteries are installed properly so that you can continue using the remote. Aside from this, one last thing to look out for can be the condition of the batteries.

If these are quite old, then simply replacing them with new ones might fix the problem.

Just make sure that the new batteries have the same voltage ratings on them as the previous ones.

  1. Check Power Connections On The Motor

If there is nothing wrong with the remote or the foot pedal and both are working perfectly, then you’re likely dealing with power supply issues. You’ll need a multimeter to narrow down this issue.

wires

All you need to do is check the power output at different terminals to isolate defective wiring and corroded connection points.

When doing this, the results that you get from the motor should be compared with optimal voltages to identify the problem.

After differentiating kinked wiring and rusty power connections, you should focus on replacing the kindred wires and cleaning the connection points.

In most situations, a vinegar solution will clean the connection points perfectly.

So, make sure to clean the connection points and secure the cables properly to get ahead of this issue.

If you are having trouble trying to find damaged wires, then look for small breaks or cracks on the wires. This helps in confirming that the cables are damaged.

The problem mostly comes from improper routing which is why you should avoid doing this at all costs.

As long as people route the cables properly, these should last them a long time without running into problems like these.

Aside from the cables, the fuse on the device is another reason why you can get this problem. This can blow out in some cases to protect the main board from getting damaged.

multimeter device

Hence the fuse mostly acts as a security feature installed to keep your motor safe.

You can usually check if the fuse is burnt or not by accessing the power breaker. If this is burnt, then replacing it with a new one should fix your problem.

Make sure that the new fuse you purchase is compatible with the Minn Kota Terrova.

  1. Battery Might Be Running Into Issues

Aside from the wirings on your Minn Kota Terrova, another thing people should check is the battery itself. This is the main source of power being used by the motor.

If you notice that the battery has some issues, then that might be why your device is having trouble starting.

People can use a multimeter to check the voltages on their battery, the same way they checked the wiring. If you notice that the battery is not giving optimal current, then make sure that you look into it.

battery graphics

There are several reasons for a problem like this which should all be kept in mind.

The first thing that you should do is to ensure that the battery is filled up with enough water.

If the water level was lower than expected, then it might be preventing the battery from getting charged. Simply filling it back up and then letting your device run should fix the issue.

If the problem persists then you can move on to checking the terminals on your battery. These can sometimes get covered with dust that prevents current from circulating through the connections.

Wiping off the debris and dust usually helps in getting rid of the problem.

However, some people report that the debris was stuck to the terminals on their batteries. This is usually known as corrosion which forms over time when using devices like these.

cleaning

The corrosion can be wiped off by scrubbing it a little but if it is too old then it might be stuck.

The best way to remove this type of corrosion is by using a vinegar solution or warm water. Both of these allow the corrosion to soften after which it can be wiped off without any worries.

Once done, connect the wires back to the terminal and your motor should now start up.

  1. Call Minn Kota

If the reading on the multimeter is appropriate and there are no issues with the power supply, then there is a realistic possibility that the main control board has gone bad.

In this situation, the only thing you can do is call the Minn Kota customer support and inquire about the issue.

try support

People also have the option to inspect their motor on their own. This requires a lot of prior information regarding the device as there are tons of moving parts inside it.

If you are familiar with these then you can check the motor on your own.

Most users report that trying to identify the faulty part takes a lot of time and it is annoying to do on their own. There are also some people that might feel hesitant trying to do this on their own.

When it comes to this it is much better that you contact the support team for Minn Kota instead.

As long as you have a valid warranty, Minn Kota will take care of replacement components, and you won’t have to extend any budget towards a new unit.

On the other hand, if the warranty has expired, then you can always seek professional help to narrow down the issue.

So, make sure to call the Minn Kota customer support and seek help on this issue.

They will be more than happy to help you get around this problem with their trolling motor. Hopefully, your issue will be fixed in no time.

The team might ask you some questions regarding the devices so make sure that you provide them with all the information required.

This mostly helps them in isolating the problem so that it can be fixed easily. If you are still confused, then at least try talking to the support team.

1 thought on “Minn Kota Terrova Won’t Turn On? Try These 4 Fixes”

  1. i have a 2014 80 terrova,that just had a new circit board installed and it still will not turn on? it has 25 volts going into the board and zero volts coming out to the head. the remote batteries are new,and comes on for 5 seconds and then off

    Reply

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