Ultrex Stiff/Frozen pedal

[Jon83]

I have an older Ultrex 112lbs/36v and the pedal keeps getting stiff/frozen. From what I can see, it happens only when the pedal reaches all the way down on the heel side. To get it back working, I have to wiggle it up and down and the connexion eventually comes back.

Also, when it's frozen, the remote doesn't work.
If I just use the remote and point the motor straight, I have no issue. It only jams if I hit spot lock and the pedal has to turn all the way around with the heel all the way down or if I use the pedal and bring it down on the heel side.

All my research point to a faulty steering sensor but today when I called Minnkota, they said it might be the heel limit sensor...

Any thoughs?

Thanks!

[mknj671]

My brand new 112 Ultrex locked up after 10 minutes of use first time on the water. Remote functions on my unit all worked fine but foot pedal would not budge, very disappointing for such an expensive unit. Minn Kota said even though it is new it is possible it still had the old foot pedal sensor which has been upgraded from what the tech told me. Mine is at authorized service center now, I will post update when I get it back. Nothing like tearing apart the front of a brand new boat to get the TM unit disconnected.

[Bradrodfish]

As Stated it is possible that your Troll motor does not have the latest sensor board. You do have a sensor board issue. Get it replaced.
The latest board was out in Nov 2019. I still see 2017 and 18 unit with the original sensor board.
I have not seen any late model troll motors with the new sensor board come in for that issue.

[mknj671]

Service center I dropped it off at said they are still seeing newer units come in with old sensors, if that is not the issue hopefully not the start of endless issues for my unit. I know it is hard to certify all products before distribution and even if they are failures still happen but 4+ years in for the Ultrex and there still seems to be tons of issues with them.

[Bradrodfish]

Service center I dropped it off at said they are still seeing newer units come in with old sensors, if that is not the issue hopefully not the start of endless issues for my unit. I know it is hard to certify all products before distribution and even if they are failures still happen but 4+ years in for the Ultrex and there still seems to be tons of issues with them.

I see the same, but keep in mind that new is from the date of purchase. It is rare to see one manufactures say in Jan and not sold until the Oct. or Nov. Most are sold with a three month period.
The one exception is 2020 when you might see troll motor made in 2020 and not sold until 2021 because of rigs being held up for various reasons.

[mknj671]

I see the same, but keep in mind that new is from the date of purchase. It is rare to see one manufactures say in Jan and not sold until the Oct. or Nov. Most are sold with a three month period.
The one exception is 2020 when you might see troll motor made in 2020 and not sold until 2021 because of rigs being held up for various reasons.

Well my new boat was built starting in March and it was delivered in May so if the trolling motor used still has the old board from 2019 somehow that is pathetic on Minn Kotas part. Service center said the serial number represents a newer unit and not one that was sitting on a shelf forever so I am curious what they will say failed after 10 minutes of use.

[Bradrodfish]

So what is the serial number of the troll motor? Boards fail and it is the nature of the beast. If this is a late 2020 motor then it probably has the latest boards in it. It happens and you unfortunately were the one it happened to. I know it sucks, but sa-la-vie

[mknj671]

So what is the serial number of the troll motor? Boards fail and it is the nature of the beast. If this is a late 2020 motor then it probably has the latest boards in it. It happens and you unfortunately were the one it happened to. I know it sucks, but sa-la-vie

Starts with a V so assume it is a 2021 - V076MK00151, still no word from service center on what failed and it has been there about a week.

[Bradrodfish]

Yep 2021. on the 76 day the 151 unit made that day. Since I have not heard of a new sensor board failing I am leaning towards the Minn Kota tech answer. Main control board. Must be one of the sensors on that board that is bad.
Let me know what they say.

[haus9393]

I’ve had 2 of the new model sensor boards fail on me and my 3rd is going out right now. When the pedal is heal down the spot lock will turn off. Ghost coming soon!!!

[mknj671]

Yep 2021. on the 76 day the 151 unit made that day. Since I have not heard of a new sensor board failing I am leaning towards the Minn Kota tech answer. Main control board. Must be one of the sensors on that board that is bad.
Let me know what they say.

Steering board replaced, tech was able to duplicate issues on work bench. Fingers crossed it is not the start of long term problems with the Ultrex, seems like there are tons of posts with failures of all kinds.

[Bradrodfish]

Steering board replaced, tech was able to duplicate issues on work bench. Fingers crossed it is not the start of long term problems with the Ultrex, seems like there are tons of posts with failures of all kinds.

I am not really sure why you are having such issues with that sensor board. It is very u usual.
Only thing I make me suspicious is, Are you removing all power from the troll motor.? I mean turning off the breaker if there is one. If you don't have a breaker then you need to add one so you can isolate the power from the troll motor. If you have a plug then unplug it every time you charge your batteries.

[Jon83]

I replaced the sensor today and although I didn't try it on the water it seems to be much better already.

Thanks to Ken Smith and JonesTrolling motor for this YouTube vid :

[mknj671]

I am not really sure why you are having such issues with that sensor board. It is very u usual.
Only thing I make me suspicious is, Are you removing all power from the troll motor.? I mean turning off the breaker if there is one. If you don't have a breaker then you need to add one so you can isolate the power from the troll motor. If you have a plug then unplug it every time you charge your batteries.

There is a breaker but I was told directly by Minn Kota that there is no need to trip it when charging. I called and asked if that could fry anything with hard wired motor and they said no all their components should be fine together. Conflicting information as usual with this stuff and since the graphs are hard wired on Skeeters as well are they going to fail if that breaker is not tripped too?

[Bradrodfish]

Yes it is conflicting info. I have seen may weird problems develop on troll motor such as the Ultrex and when I told this to the customer I never saw them again for any type of those problems.

My question is what does it harm. Better to be safe then find out when you get to the ramp 50 miles away that you have a weird issue with your troll motor.
I always do it on my boat.