Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Mud on November 29, 2010, 10:58:57 AM

Title: My winch only goes in one direction
Post by: Mud on November 29, 2010, 10:58:57 AM

I've used my winch a couple times on the new motor and solenoids (replaced in September) and yesterday it was working fine until it just stopped mid-recovery leaving me door-deep in a hole. It was however working pretty hard... I also have a new yellow top battery. The motor works because I can pull line out, but not in. When I try and pull in, I get the "click" and no action. Any ideas? I'm thinking a solenoid issue or some other wiring issue. I favor solenoid problem because I find it too coincidental for a wiring problem to just occur mid-recovery. i've searched previous discussions and can't quite find a similar situation. I just thought I'd fish for some ideas before replacing my next to new solenoids.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. 

Title: Re: My winch only goes in one direction
Post by: Zombie on November 29, 2010, 11:04:59 AM

possible bad switch in the remote(I am guessing you are using a remote), broken wire in the remote line, loose connection,

a few ideas

Title: Re: My winch only goes in one direction
Post by: w squared on November 29, 2010, 11:21:29 AM

Sounds like a solenoid issue if you're getting a click and no movement.

Give it a try today...I've seen it where part of a solenoid will heat up under heavy use not want to work...and then be fine when it cools off.

Title: Re: My winch only goes in one direction
Post by: Mud on November 29, 2010, 11:47:56 AM

I like the idea of a over-heated solenoid because the story makes sense (i.e., it certainly had reason to heat up!). If that doesn't work, I will move on to the remote. Thanks alot guys!

Title: Re: My winch only goes in one direction
Post by: w squared on November 29, 2010, 01:06:04 PM

If you can hear the solenoid clicking, then it's probably not your remote...but without being there it's awfully hard to diagnose anything   ???

Either way - I hope it gets sorted out for you in short order.

Title: Re: My winch only goes in one direction
Post by: Mud on November 29, 2010, 09:02:01 PM

I found this useful...
Just check for voltage where the heavy lead leaves the solenoid that leads to the motor. The motor uses three leads to power it... ground, forward, and reverse. See which solenoid clicks when you select the forward position on the controller and measure the voltage from that solenoid as follows... check the voltage on both sides of the two bigger solenoid posts. One of those leads comes from the battery, the other lead goes to the winch motor. Measure where the lead leaves to go to the motor. If the voltage is on just one of those two bigger solenod lugs (the two smaller leads control the solenoid) and the solenoid is 'on', the solenoid is bad. If there is voltage leaving the solenoid going to the winch motor, odds are the winch motor is bad.

Thanks worldwide interweb!

Title: Re: My winch only goes in one direction
Post by: T-bomb on December 30, 2010, 11:31:58 AM

On an 8274 you can bypass the remote by jumping across the sol's.  I did this to find the motor turned in both directions and I had a bad remote and once to find my plug had bad contacts.

Title: Re: My winch only goes in one direction
Post by: Bnine on December 31, 2010, 10:02:25 AM

Plugs and remotes are the most common culprits. Solenoids dont fail that often, but it does happen.