On your weekday, you planned to reach your local fishing spot and saw trolling motor prop isn’t spinning. We know, this already ruined your mood.

But, we are here with the good news that you can easily solve this problem.

Why is my Minn Kota trolling motor prop not spinning?

The breakage of a propeller pin might be one of the main reasons for the motor prop not spinning. Degradation might be another one.

The frayed wire might create problems. You may face an electrical problem.

Maybe water garbage might be stuck on the motor. Lastly, you might not notice that the speed was set at zero.

Many alternatives exist for putting your props back in motion. Whether or whether they return depends on the conditions.

Let’s go a little further into the details to find out more.

Minn Kota Trolling Motor Prop Troubleshooting

Your Minn Kota trolling motor’s propeller isn’t rotating when you look down into the water. What’s next?

If you’re lucky, you can anchor or drift for the day. After that, you’ll want to take care of this right away.

Many factors might cause a trolling motor prop to cease spinning.

We have stated six possible reasons with solutions that could happen.

1: Breakage of a Propeller Pin

A fractured propeller driving pin causes your propeller to spin freely and detached from the engine. If you can’t spin the propeller with your finger, you probably have a broken prop drive pin.

A damaged prop drive pin may cause the propeller to feel loose and spin freely. In front of the propeller is the driving pin.

A propeller striking a submerged log or other underwater obstacles might shatter a driving pin. Breakage is more likely to occur with older driving pins.

That means you must have struck something hard to shatter a drive pin made of stainless steel.

A shear pin is meant to break in the event of a collision. That is to save the engine from damage.

Solution

To remove the anchor nut, just twist it off the propeller’s cap. Removing and reinstalling propellers is a simple procedure that may be completed in less than a minute.

Tighten the anchor nut cap with a wrench once you’ve attached it. Put back any pins if there are any left in the cap after you remove the battery.

2: Degradation

Rust may have formed within the motorhead. When you last used it, the props were spinning, but they aren’t anymore.

Most likely, corrosion has affected the electrical components within the device.

It doesn’t matter how little the quantity of water is gets into the engine head.

Damage to the propellers might cause them to stop spinning. Some of the motor head’s crucial components may have corroded.

Using a screwdriver, remove the motor’s outer covering. Afterward, visually inspect each motorhead component. Rusted or broken items are to be found.

Solution

Removing and replacing any corroded or broken parts is a simple matter. The name of the component should be included in your owner’s manual.

3: Frayed Wire

A defective connection is another condition that could cause the props to discontinue performing. While you’re out on the water, your trolling motor may malfunction.

Additionally, you may have a problem with propellers spinning.

That is if you buy a new trolling motor and can’t get it to work. Parts in the motorhead or control box may become loose after a lot of use.

Check all the individual parts of the motorhead if you detect a loose connection in it. Don’t disconnect anything while you’re finishing off your test.

Remove the covers from the control box and verify all the connections.

Solution

If you find any disconnected wires, all you have to do is reattach them to their proper places.

Both the motor and the control box should be checked. Find out how to connect them in your owner’s guide.

4: Obstacles to Electrical Work

It’s possible that you’re out on the lake when the engine fails unexpectedly.

It’s possible that you’ll have to replenish the battery or deal with an electrical problem.

If possible, double-check all connections for looseness. To fix the problem, you must discover any loose connections while on the water.

Solution

Keep a set of oars or paddles on board in case of emergencies like these. Once you’ve returned to shore, try charging the battery.

You may need to get a new battery if that doesn’t fix things.

Before you purchase a new battery, examine all of the connections for corrosion. And make sure they are secure.

5: Props That Get Stuck

While you’re out on the lake, you may discover that your motor is still going. However, you aren’t going anywhere.

A problem has occurred that has caused your props to stop spinning without harming the motor.

You might face similar trouble with the foot pedal motor.

Solution

You should remove the trolling motor after shutting it off. An object, like seaweed or a fishing line, may have been lodged in the props.

Take care not to damage the props by removing anything that is wrapped around them.

Check to verify whether they’re working again before proceeding. Congratulations if this is the case!

The propeller-to-batteries line may have simply come loose if that is the case. Open the motorhead and control box to check the connections.

6: Set The Speed at Level Zero

If your trolling motor’s propellers won’t turn, try adjusting the speed on the controls. If it’s 0, the props won’t move.

If your speed level seems fine, the still same issue then your speedometer has issues.

Solution

Make a new attempt by increasing the pace. If the propellers begin to turn, you’ve found the solution.

A little more digging and a look for frayed wires or corrosion may be required.

7: Problems With the Battery

If the batteries are dead, the trolling motor prop won’t spin. To resolve this issue, it’s essential to check the battery voltage and charge the batteries if necessary.

Corroded battery terminals can prevent the trolling motor from functioning properly.

Solution

To fix this issue, it’s crucial to clean the battery terminals and ensure a secure connection between the battery and the trolling motor.

FAQs

Which way does a trolling motor prop spin?

As the blade moves forward, the trolling motor’s prop should be rotated accordingly.

The propeller of a trolling motor usually rotates counter-clockwise. Propeller blades will be able to suck water through and propel the ship forward as a result.

Can you run a Minn Kota trolling motor out of water?

The water around your engine serves to keep it cool. So, running it out of the water for a short period is OK.

However, operating the motor out of the water with no load will deplete your battery considerably more slowly. It’s not worth the risk of ruining a high-end TM to deplete the battery.

How long do Minn Kota trolling motors last?

For one user, a motor may last 10 years, while for another. It may only last a few months before it has to be replaced.

Make sure that the motor mounts and the bushings are in good working order. Because your motor will not turn if it is spinning at half speed or less.

How tight should trolling motor prop be?

The tightness of a trolling motor prop is critical for proper performance and safety.

The prop should be tight enough to prevent it from wobbling or coming loose during operation, but not so tight that it causes excessive wear or damage to the prop or shaft.

A good way to determine the proper tightness of a trolling motor prop is to use a torque wrench.

The manufacturer’s specifications will typically include the recommended torque setting for the prop.

It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications when tightening the prop to ensure proper operation and longevity of the trolling motor.

In general, a trolling motor prop should be tightened to the manufacturer’s specified torque rating, which is typically around 35-50 foot-pounds.

Over-tightening the prop can cause damage to the prop, shaft, or bearings, while under-tightening can result in a loose prop that wobbles and affects performance.

Final Verdict

We are glad to explain why the Minn Kota’s trolling motor prob not spinning. I hope, you’ve got a clear mental image of this issue.

After each usage, clean your prop and remove any bushes or fishing lines. If, you are still stuck with the situation, contact an expert as soon as possible.