4wheeler winch

Hey guys I have a warn2500lb winch on my four wheeler I was out plowing today and I can't seem to get the winch to come in and lift the plow. It will only go out I'm thinking its the button that it mounted on the handle bars? We've got quite a bit of snow the last couple days and am going to need to plow again luckily I was about90% done has anyone had any similar troubles or experience with these four wheeler winches. The in button is completely dead as we're I push the out button the winch activates and works?

Is your cable on the winch tangled inside, what happens when plowing using the winch is by lifting & dropping the plow the cable gets loose which can cause it to kink when you bring it back in, then when you go to let it back out it actualy reverses itself causing it to stop or break.

I understand this has nothing to do with the button but it could be tangled up inside so it won't let it out.

Speaking from experience
Zap

If is a Warn the switch in the handlebars energizes a relay...and you should hear an audible click on the relay. If the winch moves one direction the motor is OK. I would measure the voltage coming out of the switch first...then move on to the relay if the switch checks out. Most likely the switch.

To Jags' point you could switch the wires at the relay (blue and yellow) to rule out one or the other. If you arent sure what the relay is follow the red wire coming off your battery.

I second zap's experiences with the cable.

Also- Once you get it sorted out, figure a way to hook the plow to the front rack ( if you have one) to take the weight off the winch cable when not plowing. I've used a heavy carabiner and short length of chain from day 1. My friends and I got our 3 Hondas together in '04 to get free plows. My winch is the only original still working, and has been used at least twice as much.

I like your idea Osage but when I'm done, I usually just remove the blade because it doesn't take much to mount or dismount.

Why would that little bit of weight on the cable hurt the winch? Hanging <100lbs off a 2500 lb winch shouldn't hurt it.

Its not the weight, its the tight radius the cable is forced into as it breaks over the fairlead that damages the cable.

Need to get Amsteel Rope, it's the best for this type of work.

Craig

I had this happen and it was the control solenoid.I found this and they shipped me a new one free. Hope it helps
http://www.warn.com/atv/recall_notice.shtml

Rob

I have to crawl under mine with 2 cotter pins....giant PITA

I hear ya on that, I have a Moose Plow, mounts underneath with 2 hitch pins. Sometimes it takes 2 minutes to attach, sometimes takes longer with some
cursing thrown in. It is a real tight fit where the pins go thru the mounting brackets, which I guess is a good thing for wear and tear.

I do like the idea of taking the weight off the winch and the front of the ATV with some chain and a carabiner when not plowing.

I had a Warn A-2000 upgraded to a 2500 via the factory upgrade kit (solonoid and switch). Winch came new with the wheeler in mid 2000. Thought I smoked the winch as the switch would audibly cycle the solonoid. Found an Warn RT/30 kit for $200. Replaced winch and still no go. Replaced solonoid and good to go.
+1 vote for solonoid issue. Easy way to tell is to do what Jags said.
Let us know how it works out.

http://www.mooseutilities.com/products/?productGroupId=44009&productId=121148

The pulley kit will be installed before the weekend, it's supposed to get rid of the cable breaking on the winch, if not then next year I'll switch to the Synthetic Winch Rope.

The pulley system is all hooked up, I'll put the plow on the Rhino tomorrow to see how it works.