Winch will not spool out under power

[Sandevino]

I’ve got Harbor Freight Apex 12,000 pound winch with synthetic rope. It free spools out no problem and spools in perfectly. I tried spoiling out under power and no go. The solenoid clicks but the drum doesn’t move.

Anyone have this problem and solve it? This would be a learning opportunity.

I’ve got a 2 year replacement plan but want to try to fix it before just swapping it out.

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[Max-t]

No I’ve never heard of that. You go directly from in to out and it seems jammed. Or it doesn’t try. Have you engaged and disengaged the drum and tried running it while disengaged?
sounds like it’s got an initial quality defect or a wiring issue.
Is it just an apex or a badlands?

Double Check your wiring…

irregardlessnessly. If it’s not wiring and If it does just “start working” with some futzing, I’d still not trust it unless you know why it stopped working. I’d hate to have a chunk of something or whatever occasionally jamming it.

 

[Sandevino]

No I’ve never heard of that. You go directly from in to out and it seems jammed. Or it doesn’t try. Have you engaged and disengaged the drum and tried running it while disengaged?
sounds like it’s got an initial quality defect or a wiring issue.
Is it just an apex or a badlands?

Double Check your wiring…

irregardlessnessly. If it’s not wiring and If it does just “start working” with some futzing, I’d still not trust it unless you know why it stopped working. I’d hate to have a chunk of something or whatever occasionally jamming it.

It’s a Badlands Apex model and has worked great until recently. I never tried to spool out under power until today and found it doesn’t work.

I may futz with it tomorrow and if there’s nothing clearly jammed or burnt I think it’s taking a ride to the store to get replaced.

 

[Max-t]

I mean, disengage the winch and try to spool it out under power while free spooling.
it should run. But not move. Not sure it could tell you much. But if it worked, then you know the problem is in the gearing not the wiring. If it doesn’t… you still don’t know.

 

[Sandevino]

I mean, disengage the winch and try to spool it out under power while free spooling.
it should run. But not move. Not sure it could tell you much. But if it worked, then you know the problem is in the gearing not the wiring. If it doesn’t… you still don’t know.

I’m down to the solenoid.

I hooked up to a concrete pier on a hill putting the weight of the Jeep on the line. Neutral, let off the brake and attempted to spool out. No go…didn’t budge.

I’m not interested in tearing it down to find and repair as I need it operational by Friday.

 

[Max-t]

Yea if you checked the wiring… screw it. Needs replaced

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There's not a lot to check short of taking the top off and checking solenoid action. There's no wiring to check unless you've moved the box off the winch.
Sounds like a replacement time.

You've shown it's not a jammed rope (I had problems with my first use getting the rope all wound at one end and I almost couldn't unspool it manually, but it DID power out as I pulled)

Nothing to check short of taking it apart.

Same winch as you have....... mine pulls out easily when winch is in neutral.
Only used power out that one time when the rope wasn't spooled up evenly.

 

[Sandevino]

There's not a lot to check short of taking the top off and checking solenoid action. There's no wiring to check unless you've moved the box off the winch.
Sounds like a replacement time.

You've shown it's not a jammed rope (I had problems with my first use getting the rope all wound at one end and I almost couldn't unspool it manually, but it DID power out as I pulled)

Nothing to check short of taking it apart.

Same winch as you have....... mine pulls out easily when winch is in neutral.
Only used power out that one time when the rope wasn't spooled up evenly.

Agreed - not much to check. Thanks!

 

[Mad Dog]

I had the same thing happen with the the Apex 12K as well. I just took it back and they replaced. pain in the ass removing and reinstalling.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I had the same thing happen with the the Apex 12K as well. I just took it back and they replaced. pain in the ass removing and reinstalling.

In my case, it's remove the bumper, then remove the plow mounting bar (which I already did to save a lot of weight) then remove the 2" receiver, then you can finally get to the winch bolts.
I'm hoping mine never gives trouble - so far, so good, 0 troubles. It simply works.
But if it does, then I'm pulling things apart enough to put spacers under the winch and swap out the bar on the bumper. I like some of the taller bars that are wider apart at the bottom, more clearance for the winch and lever.
So if it breaks, I'll make the most of it.
Luckily, I rarely see the need to power out (some day I'll take that statement back)

 

[Sandevino]

In my case, it's remove the bumper, then remove the plow mounting bar (which I already did to save a lot of weight) then remove the 2" receiver, then you can finally get to the winch bolts.
I'm hoping mine never gives trouble - so far, so good, 0 troubles. It simply works.
But if it does, then I'm pulling things apart enough to put spacers under the winch and swap out the bar on the bumper. I like some of the taller bars that are wider apart at the bottom, more clearance for the winch and lever.
So if it breaks, I'll make the most of it.
Luckily, I rarely see the need to power out (some day I'll take that statement back)

Skid plate comes off then I have access to the bolts.

I found out it didn't work when I was trying to back down a steep grade.

 

[Sandevino]

I swapped out the winch, reinstalled and it works like it should.

The manager was shocked to see it come back saying he's only seen a handful fail over the years.

In any event, I bought another one year warranty hoping to not need it but it came in handy.

 

[cranbiz]

I have had mine on my JK for well over a year now and use it more regularly than not. It's been fine.

Crap does happen, glad you got it replaced.

 

[Sandevino]

I drove to the local high school parking lot and hooked up to the concrete base of a light post to tension the winch line.

What a difference. The new winch pulls substantially stronger and smoother than the one it replaced. Whatever was wrong with that one, I am happy to now have it replaced.

 

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

That's good to hear, I purchased one 3rd of July sale 25%off. Now trying to make up my mind on a winch plate. Can't wait to get it mounted and tested.

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