Winch Won't Power Out

[Mountain]

After a clamming/camping trip I came home and was doing recovery. I had picked up some batteries for my winch remote to test it out and discover the winch won't power out.

I can hear the solenoid clicking ant there is power to the point where the leads go into the motor housing.

Spool in works.

Any ideas? What should I do to trouble shoot next?

 

[TRD Burglar]

I had the exact same issue with my Engo 10000S.
You need to determine if the issue is with the remote, solenoid box or motor. Start with the remote, open it up and reverse the leads. If nothing changes, the issue isn't with the remote.
Now check the solenoid box, reverse the leads that run from the solenoid box to the winch. I believe it was the black and yellow leads (check with your manufacturer). If the winch now pays the line out, but won't pull the line back in, you have a bad solenoid. This is problem I had. I ordered a new solenoid box from Engo ($50) and everything was fine.
If neither of these steps identify anything, the motor is probably bad. time for a new winch.

 

[Mountain]

I tried both the wireless remote and cable remote, no joy.

I put a test light in both the output leads and get powers after the solenoid engages.

I don't think I can swap the two lines that you out because they are like flat copper that are cut to length and not flexible.

Is only one of the out lines supposed to get power?

 

[GXO]

Almost certainly a solenoid

 

[madtoy]

I had the exact same issue with my Engo 10000S.
You need to determine if the issue is with the remote, solenoid box or motor. Start with the remote, open it up and reverse the leads. If nothing changes, the issue isn't with the remote.
Now check the solenoid box, reverse the leads that run from the solenoid box to the winch. I believe it was the black and yellow leads (check with your manufacturer). If the winch now pays the line out, but won't pull the line back in, you have a bad solenoid. This is problem I had. I ordered a new solenoid box from Engo ($50) and everything was fine.
If neither of these steps identify anything, the motor is probably bad. time for a new winch.

I also had this exact same issue with my Engo 9000, out of the box. Engo sent a replacement solenoid and remote - but it did cause me to miss a good trip. So no Engo this time around....

 

[Mountain]

Everybody is saying solenoid, but I can hear it engaging? Also there is power going into the motor when it engages?

 

[Mountain]

Well, you all are right.

I sent an email to TJM Australia and they said it sounds like a bad control box. They asked for my invoice and said they would get a replacement out to me under warranty!

 

[DNGRZN]

Yeah, I am glad that TJM is taking care of it. I have had many solenoids over the years click, engage, and provide voltage to a meter, but when I checked it with a current meter (ammeter) I found that little current was flowing. Hopefully when the new part comes in it fixes your problems. You just gave me an idea for my future winch install. I think premaking some high current jumpers to bypass a bad solenoid wouldn't be a bad idea in case I have a pack fail in the field when I need to do a recovery. Sorry for your ill luck!

 

[Mountain]

Update, after TJM rep asked me for invoice I have asked twice for a status on a replacement and got no answer.

Not looking good.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Since TJM doesn't make winches or control boxes, they are likely looking for another control box in China. It could take awhile.

Why not swap on your buddies' known good solenoid box and make sure the motor works?

Or you can hotwire a winch motor with jumper cables to make sure it works.

Or you could assume the motor works and get the Summit Racing SuperWinch Albright contactor and wire it up with that. That's likely what I would do.