Winch or solenoids?

[BundyRumandCoke]

I have a Warn Magnum 9000 on the front of my GU. Before anyone howls, the GU doesnt see any really tough 4wding, the winch was bought for insurance.

The winch was bought new in July 09, and has been used in anger about 3 times, and run out and rewound as many times. Today, while having a bit of a play, I got stuck in mud, just slippery lack of traction mud, when I bottomed out on the diffs. I hooked up the winch and it pulled me out, just, giving up the ghost just as my tyres gained traction.

I thought it may have been the battery, as its the original factory battery that the winch is connected to, so that battery is around 5 years old, and is starting to crank a bit more slowly on cold start ups. A new battery is on the shopping list when I get back home. And yes, I did have the engine running at accelerated revs when winching. But the winch just ground to a halt. It wouldnt even winch in the loose cable.

On arriving back at where I stay while at work, I connected the winch lead to my second battery, but still no winching. I get a very strong click from the solenoids.

When I bought the winch, I also bought 2 new mounts, which had seals fitted to keep water and crud out of the motor and drum. These were recommended by the retailer I bought the winch from, a very well known national 4wd parts retailer. I wont name names here. I also took careful note of the advice on sealing the side facing drainage port, leaving only the port at the bottom open.

Now, the only thing that I can think of that may have contributed to my problem, is I took the GU for a swim back in June. The winch would have been underwater for probably 10 minutes, but wasnt used when submerged.

So, any ideas? It looks like a stripdown of the winch over the weekend. Actually pretty disappointing given the age and lack of use of the winch. In case anyone wonders, the solenoid box is mounted high and dry, in the engine bay at the left rear corner. It didnt get submerged during the swim.

[SCANAS]

Usually the winch will still work in one direction if it solenoid(s). Most winch probs are electrical.

[BundyRumandCoke]

Called past the retailer that I bought it from today. The bosses opinion is solenoid. The bloke who really knows says water ingress into the motor. Thats my guess, in spite of the waterproof mounts. We will see tomorrow when I pull it apart.

[92mav]

have you tried testing the winch by bypassing the solinoids? i have had a bad earth connection between the bullbar and the chassie before, which messed with the winching speeds
hopes this helps
Brad

[BundyRumandCoke]

And the verdict, winch motor full of water and crap. Took all of about 1 1/2 hrs to get it done, not bad for a first time. I had made the classic mistake of setting the winch up, with drainage port facing downward, then having to install it upside down in the Nissan bar, which meant the drainage port was now up.

But what surprised me was no gaskets or sealant or anything around the motor at all. That has now been fixed. Winch works a charm now.