Smittybilt X2O GEN3 10K - Help diagnose/Not Working

[OverBrass]

Purchased my used 21 Overland with the X20 Gen3. As a new jeep owner, I didn't think to check if the winch worked (first time even having a winch) and I did mess with the wireless remote and noticed LED worked, so I just assumed (yes, I know better now...). also, negotiations kind of took my attention after I had already fell in love...

I've been trying to educate myself on this, watching installs, repair videos etc... some of it is above what I would feel comfortable trying to fix, so I may take it in to the local jeep mod shop. But I do want to see if anyone can pinpoint any issues based on these photos.

I have gotten feedback on how the on/off switch may be the culprit. Just swapped it for a new one that Smittybilt sent me, still doesn't seem to work or light up. I did see a video where the guy plugged a third cable to the switch so it would light up when on - mine only had the two red connectors.

Have also had people say the way the blue cable here is plugged into my fuse box isn't the best(shoved under F52/Cigar LTR). Per SmittyBilt: The blue wire illuminates the light on the front of the control box. It usually is wired to a fuse or headlight wire so that it only comes on with the ignition. It can be wired directly to a power source, but a fuse is always recommended.

SmittyBilt sent me a Diagnosis Flowchart, with a remote bypass and winch motor testing instructions, but I may take it to a shop and have them handle it so I can watch and learn. Let me know if anything here looks out of the ordinary so I can look into it!

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[WILDHOBO]

I’ve installed several winches, but not Smittybilt. I definitely don’t like the blue wire under a fuse. What’s the wiring diagram say the blue wire is for? Also, the positive (red) wire shouldn’t go directly to the battery. A hard disconnect or solenoid should be used, so you don’t have a hit wire at the front bumper. I’m the event of a front impact, that wire can short with the frame and cause a significant fire.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Purchased my used 21 Overland with the X20 Gen3. As a new jeep owner, I didn't think to check if the winch worked (first time even having a winch) and I did mess with the wireless remote and noticed LED worked, so I just assumed (yes, I know better now...). also, negotiations kind of took my attention after I had already fell in love...

I've been trying to educate myself on this, watching installs, repair videos etc... some of it is above what I would feel comfortable trying to fix, so I may take it in to the local jeep mod shop. But I do want to see if anyone can pinpoint any issues based on these photos.

I have gotten feedback on how the on/off switch may be the culprit. Just swapped it for a new one that Smittybilt sent me, still doesn't seem to work or light up. I did see a video where the guy plugged a third cable to the switch so it would light up when on - mine only had the two red connectors.

Have also had people say the way the blue cable here is plugged into my fuse box isn't the best(shoved under F52/Cigar LTR). Per SmittyBilt: The blue wire illuminates the light on the front of the control box. It usually is wired to a fuse or headlight wire so that it only comes on with the ignition. It can be wired directly to a power source, but a fuse is always recommended.

SmittyBilt sent me a Diagnosis Flowchart, with a remote bypass and winch motor testing instructions, but I may take it to a shop and have them handle it so I can watch and learn. Let me know if anything here looks out of the ordinary so I can look into it!

I read my post and feel like I made it more complicated. Winches are pretty easy. Good positive and negative battery connections are typically what’s needed. Some winches have switches to enable wireless transmitter/receivers as a safety feature. But that’s pretty much it.

 

[drewcnit]

Purchased my used 21 Overland with the X20 Gen3. As a new jeep owner, I didn't think to check if the winch worked (first time even having a winch) and I did mess with the wireless remote and noticed LED worked, so I just assumed (yes, I know better now...). also, negotiations kind of took my attention after I had already fell in love...

I've been trying to educate myself on this, watching installs, repair videos etc... some of it is above what I would feel comfortable trying to fix, so I may take it in to the local jeep mod shop. But I do want to see if anyone can pinpoint any issues based on these photos.

I have gotten feedback on how the on/off switch may be the culprit. Just swapped it for a new one that Smittybilt sent me, still doesn't seem to work or light up. I did see a video where the guy plugged a third cable to the switch so it would light up when on - mine only had the two red connectors.

Have also had people say the way the blue cable here is plugged into my fuse box isn't the best(shoved under F52/Cigar LTR). Per SmittyBilt: The blue wire illuminates the light on the front of the control box. It usually is wired to a fuse or headlight wire so that it only comes on with the ignition. It can be wired directly to a power source, but a fuse is always recommended.

SmittyBilt sent me a Diagnosis Flowchart, with a remote bypass and winch motor testing instructions, but I may take it to a shop and have them handle it so I can watch and learn. Let me know if anything here looks out of the ordinary so I can look into it!

So may not apply to you as I have a Smittybilt Gen 3 XRC winch, but when I first connected the power, the fuse in the control box blew. So I would recommend opening the control box and checking to see if it has a fuse as well and is potentially blown. In my scenario, I replaced the fuse and all was good afterwards. Might save you a trip to the shop.

The blue wire is 'fine'. It just powers the lighting to the control box that shines on the rope, I never even connected mine because I'm not really sure I need that function...lol
I have mine taped/tied off behind the grille. Lots of folks will alligator clip it into the light harness.

As the @WILDHOBO mentioned, invest in a good cut-off switch or solenoid to keep from running the positive cable to the battery and having a hot wire on the front of the vehicle.

 

[WILDHOBO]

So may not apply to you as I have a Smittybilt Gen 3 XRC winch, but when I first connected the power, the fuse in the control box blew. So I would recommend opening the control box and checking to see if it has a fuse as well and is potentially blown. In my scenario, I replaced the fuse and all was good afterwards. Might save you a trip to the shop.

The blue wire is 'fine'. It just powers the lighting to the control box that shines on the rope, I never even connected mine because I'm not really sure I need that function...lol
I have mine taped/tied off behind the grille. Lots of folks will alligator clip it into the light harness.

As the @WILDHOBO mentioned, invest in a good cut-off switch or solenoid to keep from running the positive cable to the battery and having a hot wire on the front of the vehicle.

I’m guessing you’re exactly right. Glad a Smittybilt winch owner spoke up.

 

[OverBrass]

So may not apply to you as I have a Smittybilt Gen 3 XRC winch, but when I first connected the power, the fuse in the control box blew. So I would recommend opening the control box and checking to see if it has a fuse as well and is potentially blown. In my scenario, I replaced the fuse and all was good afterwards. Might save you a trip to the shop.

The blue wire is 'fine'. It just powers the lighting to the control box that shines on the rope, I never even connected mine because I'm not really sure I need that function...lol
I have mine taped/tied off behind the grille. Lots of folks will alligator clip it into the light harness.

As the @WILDHOBO mentioned, invest in a good cut-off switch or solenoid to keep from running the positive cable to the battery and having a hot wire on the front of the vehicle.

Thank you, will check the control box/fuse and let y'all know. And thanks for heads up on positive cable on battery - how does yours look?

 

[drewcnit]

Thank you, will check the control box/fuse and let y'all know. And thanks for heads up on positive cable on battery - how does yours look?

No time to run out and take a picture, but I followed this post here for my install -
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/where-are-you-powering-the-winch.29534/post-508973

 

[WILDHOBO]

I’ve got one of mine from 2021. Here you go. Basically, the winch negative goes directly to the battery. The positive goes to the solenoid. The solenoid has a positive pigtail that goes to the battery. The solenoid is controlled by a switch. Warn provides one with their kit, but I used aux 3 instead. You don’t need high amperage. The switch just controls the solenoid. The solenoid then has a tiny negative/ground wire that goes to the negative battery terminal or to a ground post. I went to the battery.

 

[WILDHOBO]

That picture is from a long time ago. I since shortened that green negative cable and trimmed the red battery positive isolator to allow it to sit down where it should be.

 

[WILDHOBO]

WARN 62132 Power Interrupt Kit with Battery Lead, Hardware, Solenoid, Switch and Wiring https://a.co/d/5evE181

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