Question for tightwads like me

[fatboy]

Got out on the lake today and was fishing a favorite spot. Just puttering around with the trolling motor. Caught several fish and had nine keepers. Went to move on to another spot and the trolling motor wouldn't do a thing. I have been having trouble in the past with sometimes it wouldn't do a thing, but then it would take off. Well, today, once it quit, it quit. Here's the thing, this trolling motor is an old school cable steering Johnson. The Model #isBFL4PV.97. I have tried all the usual boat sites for helping and nada. I need the power switch on the foot board. Simple little toggle underneath. Need some help with this folks. The fish are biting are had prefer not to scull, but will if I have to. Thanks. Fatboy

[labill]

I would go for a quick fix, Big J. Check the bad toggle sw. for an amperage rating, then go to your auto store and look for one of equal or higher rating. If you can find one you can still use the motor to fish while you look for a standard Johnson part. If not, remove power from the unit and use a piece of heavy stranded wire and jumper the hot wires across the switch. If it is just an on/off switch there will only be two wires, solder the jumper across them. You will have power, but disconnect from the battery for safety when finished fishing.

[fatboy]

Thanks Labill. It is just the power switch. Two brown wires coming out the switch, but the wires are silicone sealed onto the connectors. Just got off the phone with a local guy and he is sorting through all his stuff. He thinks he can fix me up.

[papasage]

a boat dealer should have them . there isent but 2 or 3 co.`s that make troling motors . i have sever here that needs some work on them . just havent had time to do it .

[crappster]

Well.....you said tightwads.....so give up on all of it and get a canoe and a paddle......but that would be a tightwad like me.

[blankace]

Got out on the lake today and was fishing a favorite spot. Just puttering around with the trolling motor. Caught several fish and had nine keepers. Went to move on to another spot and the trolling motor wouldn't do a thing. I have been having trouble in the past with sometimes it wouldn't do a thing, but then it would take off. Well, today, once it quit, it quit. Here's the thing, this trolling motor is an old school cable steering Johnson. The Model #isBFL4PV.97. I have tried all the usual boat sites for helping and nada. I need the power switch on the foot board. Simple little toggle underneath. Need some help with this folks. The fish are biting are had prefer not to scull, but will if I have to. Thanks. Fatboy

I had to replace the toggle switch on my old Johnson recently. I got one from the local marine shop- had to use my Dremel to enlarge the cavity so it would fit tho. Wish you were close by, I would fix it for you free.

[herb]

Not sure how old your troller is but Minn Kota made those motors for Johnson and Evinrude for several years. Give them a call with the model and serial# and they might be able to fix you up. There is also a guy in Harpers Ferry, Iowa who works on those brands. Let me know if you need his number.

[fatboy]

Thanks for all the help guys. The local guy has one and gonna get it put on tomorrow. Thanks again.

[Ranger690]

Keep a check on one other thing. The plug. What kind of plug is it? My motor started acting the same way. I replaced the switch in pedal also. Still acted up. Someone told me to check inside the plug where the trolling motor wires are connected to the terminals. I had a screw come loose and it was arcing inside. It would get so hot it was melting metal and would not work until it cooled. So, if you have anymore trouble, check and tighten all connections. I even took the socket loose from the boat and checked the connections in there. Be careful, don't want to smoke the boat.

Hope the switch cures it.

Dayton

[FalconSmitty]

Thanks for all the help guys. The local guy has one and gonna get it put on tomorrow. Thanks again.

the local guy. Is that like the cable guy?
Glad you are getting it fixed so fast.
tightlines to ya
Smitty