Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom
Possible Causes
Corrective Action
Winch does not operate.
1.
Disconnected power wire.
2.
Disconnected control wire.
3.
Damaged Circuit Breaker.
1.
Start by checking the wiring at the battery. Bypass
the circuit breaker and test the winch. If the winch
operates, replace the circuit breaker.
2.
Check wiring insulation for worn or bare spots that
may be causing a short.
3.
Check all connections for tightness.
Load slips under retrieval.
1.
Clutch knob not fully tightened.
2.
Clutch lining worn or dirty
1.
Tighten clutch knob.
2.
Replace clutch lining or clutch knob.
Transmitter will not operate
winch but manual override
switch will.
1.
Transmitter was not
programmed properly to the
receiver.
2.
Battery in transmitter is low or
dead.
3.
The transmitter is outside of its
recommended operating
radius.
4.
The transmitter is not properly
oriented to the winch.
5.
Transmitter or receiver is bad.
1.
Program or reprogram wireless remote according to
the instruction manual.
2.
Replace the battery.
3.
Get closer to the winch, recommended operating
range is 10-15 feet (3-4.5m) from center of the
winch.
4.
Position the remote above the level of the winch.
5.
Contact service center to replace wireless remote.
Light will not turn on.
1.
Winch is not connected to 12v
battery.
2.
Bulb is burned out.
3.
Bulb is loose in the retaining
clips or there is a loose
connection.
1.
Wire winch to 12v battery using the supplied wiring
harness.
2.
Replace bulb with new one.
3.
Attached bulb so that it is secure within the bulb
socket.
Winch is:
making a clicking sound
and not powering in or out,
running and stopping in
brief, short increments, or
running intermittingly.
1.
Electric brake may not be
working correctly.
2.
Motor or control unit is bad.
3.
Duplex gear is locked up on the
shaft and unable to remove
easily.
1.
Remove cover and make sure all wire connections
are secure and battery is fully charged or vehicle is
running (if connected to vehicle’s battery).
2.
Remove electric brake from side of motor by
unscrewing the three screws that hold it on and
unplugging the quick-connect wire connector that
runs from the electric brake to the control unit. Set
electric brake aside.
3.
Test unit with wired controller and wireless
remote. If winch runs better, the electric brake was
the culprit.
4.
Unplug motor from the control unit and test motor
by putting power directly to the motor. If motor runs
the control unit is bad. If it doesn’t then the motor is
the problem.
5.
Check the duplex gear by removing the cotter pin
and sliding the gear off its shaft. If the gear slides
freely it is good and can be slid back on. If the gear is
locked up on the shaft and unable to remove easily,
then this may not allow the motor shaft to power
the winch correctly.
