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Garmin Force Trolling Motor Status Codes and Error Messages

The Force® Trolling Motor can alert the operator of unexpected conditions or errors. These alerts will appear as led status lights on the display panel and sometimes on the foot pedal. An LED may blink or be solid and vary in color. Error or status messages can also display on the remote or the connected chartplotter. If the trolling motor remains powered on, with no unexpected sudden points of powering off, updating the Force Trolling motor software is the first recommended step. For instructions, see Garmin Force Trolling Motor, Remote, and Foot Pedal Software Update.


Display Panel


The Display Panel of the Force Trolling Motor has 3 LED status lights that indicate the trolling motor's status. The following is a list of each status code and its meaning:


Trolling Motor Battery LED Blink CodeBlink Code Meaning
Illuminates green Greater than 55% or greater charge remaining
Illuminates yellowRemaining charge is less than 55% and as low as 20%
Illuminates redLess than 20% charge remaining


NOTE: Either Lithium or AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery types are acceptable as a power source. However, these battery types discharge at a different rate than lead-acid batteries. The Force Trolling Motor circuit only detects the remaining battery life for lead acid battery types. If lithium or AGM batteries are used to power the Force Trolling Motor, there may be no indication that the batteries are about to be depleted. In such cases, the Force Trolling Motor will suddenly cease to operate until recharging batteries.

GPS Signal LED Blink CodeBlink Code Meaning
Illuminates green Adequate GPS signal
Illuminates blinking greenAcquiring GPS signal
Illuminates redNo GPS signal
Illuminates blueThe motor is in pairing mode
Illuminates yellowThe motor is in recovery mode (for software updates and recovery procedures)


Motor Status LED Blink CodeBlink Code Meaning
Illuminates green The motor is operating normally
Illuminates solid redThe motor software is starting up
Illuminates blinking redThere is a system error (a description may be displayed on the floating remote control or paired chartplotter)
Illuminates blueThe motor is in pairing mode
Illuminates yellowThe motor is in recovery mode (for software updates and recovery procedures)



Foot Pedal


The Foot Pedal of the Force Trolling Motor has an assortment of LED status codes. The following is a list of each status code, and its meaning:


LED Blink CodeBlink Code Meaning
Illuminates green The foot pedal is powering on
Illuminates blue The foot pedal is pairing. The LED turns off when it connects to the trolling motor, or the pairing process times out without connecting
Flashes green when pushing a buttonThe foot pedal is connected to the trolling motor and sends a command for the button being pushed
Flashes red when pushing a buttonThe foot pedal is not paired to the trolling motor
OffThe LED turns off when the pedal is connected to the trolling motor, not sending commands prolonging the battery life.


The Foot Pedal of the Force Trolling Motor has an assortment of LED blink codes that can help to identify a potential problem. The following is a list of each blink code and its possible cause:


SymptomPossible Cause
  • LED lights solid red when power applied (LED may turn solid green after moving pedal, but pedal/trolling motor doesn’t respond)

  • The foot pedal speed-wheel cable is damaged; contact Product Support.
  • The foot pedal experienced an interruption during a software update; reinstall the software.
  • LED lights solid green when power applied
  • LED blinks red 3 times after moving the pedal
  • Pedal/trolling motor stops responding afterward
  • Foot pedal speed wheel cable is damaged; contact Product Support
  • LED doesn’t light up after inserting AA batteries
  • Batteries may be in backwards; Verify polarity of AA batteries

  • AA battery voltage may be too low; replace AA batteries

  • If AA batteries are fresh, pedal may have damaged internal power harness; contact Product Support

    • The included external power cable may allow the pedal to function

  • LED doesn’t blink when pressing any button
  • AA battery voltage may be too low; replace AA batteries

  • If using external power cable, check for > 10VDC on cable pins

  • LED doesn’t blink when pressing and releasing the momentary prop button
  • AA battery voltage may be too low; replace AA batteries

  • If using external power cable, check for > 10VDC on cable pins

  • Momentary button cable may be damaged; contact Product Support



Floating Remote Control


The Floating Remote Control of the Force Trolling Motor may display a status error if the Trolling Motor itself is not accepting commands, the LED status indicators on the Force Trolling Motor are illuminating red, or in cases where the Foot Pedal commands are not being accepted by the Force Trolling Motor. The following is a list of each status message, and it's meaning:


Floating Remote Status MessageStatus Message Meaning
You Must CalibrateSee Force Trolling Motor Remote Displays “You Must Calibrate” Message
Function Not SupportedBehavior of out of date software, fixed in later software release. See Updating the Software of the Force Trolling Motor, Remote, and Foot Pedal
Steering Alignment or Servo AlignmentSee Steering Alignment or Servo Alignment Error on Force Trolling Motor
Not ConnectedTrolling motor is either powered off, or the floating remote is no longer paired
OffThe LED turns off when the pedal is connected to the trolling motor and not sending commands. This prolongs battery life