Fishing in the wind yesterday-regular setting on trolling motor worked great but at one point it completely stopped working. I have three switches on my foot-control MG-"always on", "alternating" (which is regular), and "hi-bypass" which means it automatically hits highest speed when you step on pedal. The "hi bypass" was the only thing that worked on the trolling motor and the other two nothing happened. During the rest of the afternoon I could get the "normal" to work again but it would only work for a few minutes then kick off again and I would have to switch back to the "hi bypass". Hope that makes sense. Any ideas on what the problem is?

Try replacing that switch? These things wear out over time.

You have an older motorguide trolling motor. There is a circuit board that has gone out. I forgot the name of it, but it is the technology that made the batteries last longer. Go to any repari shop and they will fix, or sell you the circuit board. If you do the install, there is no warranty.

Just remembered the name - dura amp.

Thanks Mike for the reply. Is the circuit board replacement costly? Also, it's a 2002 model boat so the trolling motor is about that age too. Is that old enough to have this type of circuit breaker in it??

I remember now that's what went out on my old motorguide brute - but mine caught on fire

You might check with your repair shop to have it rebuilt digital.

Check the small wires connected into a white plastic juction box. Sometimes when the control cable has been replaced it will disturb these wires. If nothing wrong their, the speed sensor in the motor has gone out. No longer available. You can have it converted to a digital speed control for about 400.00.

In most cases with the MG this is the problem. And yes your 02 model will have this circut board.
I even reccomend that if you plan on keepin this motor then buy 2 of them and keep the second for a spare.

Did the motor work again during the day in the variable speed? If so, you may have a battery problem. Have batteries load tested. If they are ok then you have a bad circuit board. Parts are no longer available so you have to update to digital. Cost is $400.