I just got my new y2k Kodiak with a dealer in stalled $69.00 winch. They mounted the solenoid under the rear fender at the rear of the machine. I thought the solenoid was susceptable to moisture and needed to be mounted as high and dry as possible. When asked the dealer said they preferer that location for its proximity to the battery. My question is where are other people mounting the solenoid on the 2000 Kodiak and should I move it?

Thanks, Damguy

 

Granted I don't have a y2k Kodiak but I figured I would offer some insight. Mine is located under my rear fender but above the storage compartment. It actually is mounted to the storage compartment.

 

I just installed the promotional $69.96 winch on my 00 Grizzly in the same place as you, per the installation instructions. Is it the best place to put it?, I won't know until after a few hundred miles. I think that if you are fording water that goes over the top of the rear fender, you might ingest water into the carb, which would be more serious than a shorted solenoid.

 

You should move it, I own a 2000 Grizzly and have found that if you solenoid gets wet, it will short!

 

On my 2000 Kodiak, I followed my dealer's recommendation and mounted mine under the seat in the storage box. You lose a little storage space, but the solenoid stays high and dry.

 

I put the solenoid on top of the storage box, as per the instructions on both my Kodiak and my Grizzly. I have gone through water deep enough to float them, and have never had any problems with the the operation of the winch on either machine.

 

The paperwork that comes with the winch recommends placement on top of the storage box on my 2000 Big Bear but it would not fit. I placed it on the side as high as possible and am considering covering the posts with the same plastic dip you would use on tool handles if it becomes a problem. Just an idea - don't know if it would work.

 

In the Warn paperwork it says that the solenoid should be placed where it will remain dry. Kind of funny, but my Father in law has a 97 Yamaha Big Bear 4x4 with a dealer installed Warn 2000 and the solenoid is mounted right up front on the winch mounting plate. Looks like there were holes through the plate made specifically for the solenoid. He's never had a problem so far but I still wouldn't recommend it. I mounted the solenoid under the seat in the rear of the battery compartment on my Foreman. It's about as waterproof as it gets.

 

I had a 98 Big Bear and that's how they did it. I moved mine up between the top of the front shocks by drilling a couple of holes in the frame. never had a prob after that.
Damguy

 

hey meb1, I like your idea best so far. I never saw the recomended installation location for my y2k but the dealer said it's where Yamaha said to put it. I can't believe it, under the rear fender it's suseptable all tire splash! Not too smart I would say. I think the storage box is a good idea if they left me enough wire. Though I hate to lose any room in the box.
Thanks, damguy