Minn Kota Edge momentary switch question

[Justbass11]

My Minn Kota edge momentary switch seems to have stopped  working. So I replaced the switch, before I put the foot pedal back in the tray I checked to make sure that it worked and it did. I put it all back together. Did one final check, it didn’t work. Any ideas on what it could possibly be? I’m almost tempted to get another trolling motor, anyway thanks for the input.

[Way2slow]

Recommend you get a VOM multimeter and learn how to use it.  I never have been able to see electrons moving through wires just by looking.  

[gim]

I don’t have an edge, I have a maxxum. But I believe the pedal operates the same. Do you have a continuous switch on the side in addition to momentary?
 

If you do, try that. Might help narrow down the problem.

[Justbass11]

@gimruis Yes to answer your question I was thinking about changing that as well. I guess I need to also get the voltmeter out.

[Way2slow]

I've had problems with one of the spade connectors on the circuit board cause intermittent problems like that.  Every time you would think you had it fixed, somewhere in the next trip, it would stop working again.  I finally got tired of screwing with it and cut the spade connecter off soldered the wired directly to the board.  Didn't have any more problems with it after that.

 

However, that was also after using a multimeter to isolate the problem.  My first knee jerk action was to replace the switch because they are so common to fail, and it didn't feel right when activating it.  The switch was probably going bad because of the mussy feel it had instead of a positive click but that didn't fix the problem.  It took a little isolating with the multimeter to find the cause and three tries at fixing a spade connector that fit tight and didn't see a problem with.  The old wife's tale, third times a charm, that was when I finally just eliminated the sucker completely.  The first time, I put a new spade connector on.  The second time I resolder the terminal on the board, the third time I cut the connector off and soldered the wire directly to the bottom side of the board. 

[Alex from GA]

On my cable control, Motorguide, trolling motor there is a slip on spacer on the button that the pedal actuates.  The rubber broke and fell off and I added a folded piece of electrical tape for a spacer.

[Justbass11]

So much for the voltmeter. Not sure if anyone has heard of this happening but believe it or not this happened.

I was just starting to use the voltmeter on the plug that the trolling motor plugs into, when all of sudden one of the prongs turned bright red  and burned off the tip of one of the prongs. (I know right) anyway, the boat is at the dealership to get fixed. Thanks for all the advice… 

[Bankc]

10 hours ago, Justbass11 said:

So much for the voltmeter. Not sure if anyone has heard of this happening but believe it or not this happened.

I was just starting to use the voltmeter on the plug that the trolling motor plugs into, when all of sudden one of the prongs turned bright red  and burned off the tip of one of the prongs. (I know right) anyway, the boat is at the dealership to get fixed. Thanks for all the advice… 

You must have shorted a connection.  I've done that before on a light switch.  It actually welded the probe to the side of the switch before it threw the breaker. 

[Way2slow]

As mentioned, you did something wrong.  It was not the meters' fault.  You shorted the tip against a negative as you were trying to check a positive or you have the meter in the wrong mode, and it was not fused.  If you have a VOM in the current mode and you try to check voltage with it, that's the same that as putting a direct short on it.  Been there, done that numbers of times but I only use Fluke meters, and they are fused, and they are dam proud of that fuse because it cost me about $15 every time I do it.  

Shorting the tip can also get expensive because you shorted the point you was testing and could have easily fried something else.  

Just melting the tip is mild, do that in a high amperage DC or AC circuit and have it exploded in your face, that will have you changing your underwear. 

Trust me, with over 60 years of electronics and electrical trouble shooting experience, I've destroyed a one or two of those high dollar Fluke leads I use.