How to get wires out of the shaft?

Hey Chris,, you are starting a project (or wanting to) that is going to be problematic... It will be easier to go buy a new trolling motor with the money you are going to spend attempting this conversion... the newer trolling motors are so much more efficient...
Trolling Motors Fishing Motors Electric Boat Motors MotorGuide Trolling...
https://www.minnkotamotors.com/

if everthing else is hooked up properly and the battery connections are tight i would suspect a loose connection in either the plug or the receptacle. anytime an electrical connection heats up it usually means there is a loose connection or too many amps running through it than what its designed for. remember trolling motors should not be run out of the water for more than 30 seconds as they use the water to cool the output shaft at the prop. good trolling.

Your cable may have broken or slipped and maybe bending rather than shifting in the sleeve. You may also want to check and make sure all set screws and cable locks are secure.

STOP THE MOTOR! OPEN IT AND TKAE OUT AND REPLACE NEW ONE!~

HOPE THIS HELPS

There should be a couple of allen screws on the shaft that you can loosen, which should allow you to swing the motor head in the direction you want it to be pointing for the desired pedal position. Tighten and carry on.

http://www.northlandmarine.com/MinnKotaQuickRef.htm

I just replaced the shaft (composite) on my Endura 34 today. First, remove the crossbolt that attaches the control head to the top of the shaft. Second, remove the top cover of the control head. Third, make note of the wire connections within the control head (take a picture) and then unplug the red, yellow, white and black wires...no need to unplug the main 6 guage red and black power wires. Fourth, with the wires unplugged, pull the shaft with motor housing attached through the transom mount assembly. Fifth, immobilize the motor housing (gently vice?) and heat the socket in which the shaft screws into motor housing. Do not overheat, only use enough heat to soften factory sealant making unscrewing shaft possible. Sixth, reassemble in reverse order.

Notes: Do not use a pipe wrench as this will crush the composite shaft, either old or new. Apply thread sealant prior to installing new shaft (I used Permatex Thread Sealant/Formagasket). Ensure crossbolt hole on top of shaft aligns with motor housing below.

Did the unit come with a strap to mount the transducer to a bow mount electric? Most units do... If not there is probably one available for the unit as an aftermarket accessory or accessory from the manufacturer... Regarding the transducer wire, just wrap and rout this up the front of the bow mount motor shaft so when you pull the motor up and secure it, it is not going to get in the way. You could cable tie the cord down near the bottom of the shaft and one up near the top where they wont interfere with the motor bracket when the motor is positioned up on the boat.