Hey everyone, I gotta a question... My new-to-me 2001 Sportsman 500 HO has what appears to be a factory Warn winch. It has a big clunky switch mounted on the left front fender, etc. However, it doesn't work. It doesn't make any noise at all when activating the control. I'm convinced it's mostly likely a bad connection somewhere. Does anyone have a resource for a wiring diagram for this? Also, if it is a bad switch (I've read that they can be 'fun'), is there a way to connect a new, rocker, thumb switch on the handlebar to this winch? Any suggestions or guidance is appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

it is a warn A2000 winch. no there is no way to put a rocker switch w/ out putting a newer style conntactor. you have the old style solenoid style. check to make sure the solenoid has plastic sleeves that slide over the mounting bracket. this is the updated one. there was a recall from warn on a fire hazzard for the non plastic sleeve style solenoid. check all connections and a charged battery first. make sure the single small wire that is supposed to be hooked to a power suppile from the wheeler to give power to activate the solenoid. if this has power to the solenoid and it is not working then try jumping the 2 big cables and turn the switch to see if it works the winch. theres a start for you.

 

Thanks, I did all that and no dice. It looks like to replace the switch is somewhere in the $90-$100 range, with the update kit being around $150... All of which would need to be ordered. I'd ideally have this working yesterday as I'm in the market for a plow and it's about to snow heavy here in NoDak any day now. I'm thinking about replacing it with a Badlands model from the local Harbor Freight for $80. Any thoughts on those? I figure that way I have a newer style switch, etc.

 

NO!!! Some people might have had luck with a cheap winch like that from harbor freight but odds are you'll regret the purchase within the year as it will most likely fail. I'd put the money towards fixing the Warn.

 

Okay, I'll most likely avoid them then unless something unforeseen occurs. How about a SuperWinch? I see that Cabelas has a LT2500 for $99.99 w/free shipping. The most extreme use will most likely be pulling through mud very occasionally. Typically it will be used for plowing, maybe pulling random things, etc.

Cabela's: Superwinch LT2500 ATV Winch

I'm wary on fixing up the Warn as I'm not 100% the winch isn't fried. It had a heavy amount of corrosion on the connections, so who knows if throwing a $100 switch will do the trick or not, right?

 

Oh, and thanks for the advice.