Welcome to YorkieTalk. Here is a good article for you about submissive/excitement peeing:
Dogs and Submissive/Excitement Urination - Fixing Submissive/Excitement Urination in Dogs
Make sure your boy is also getting adequate exercise and attention when he is out of his crate, especially since he spends quite a bit of time crated. Always praise profusely when he goes potty in the correct place. Make sure he gets ample opportunity to potty in the right place.
If you want to try pads again, use pads infused with a scent attractant. Make the pad readily available at all times. That means no crate. Confine him to a small room (kitchen, laundry, bathroom -- make sure toilet seat is down to avoid hazard) or an xpen with his pad.