so I picked up a warn 9.5ti used the other day, installed it and found the gears would not engage. I can hear the motor, but can't get it to spool in or out, and can't get it to freespool either.

The winch is a few years old and I don't think it got used more than 2 or 3 times and had been sitting around in a garage for a year before I bought it.

It's no longer covered by the warranty since I am not the original owner. Anyone know off the top of their head what the problem is likely to be?

 

honestly, i would try calling warn as they have amazing customer service and super good about responding in a timely manner. they've helped me out big time in the past and were even so good as to send me new parts free of charge even though i told them i broke the previous ones and that i would be more than happy to pay for the new ones. they never even asked for me to verify whether or not my winch was still covered under warranty.

 

Wow, that's great. I hope I get the same royal treatment!

 

Eddie,

The information about Warn customer service is appreciated. Over a year ago, I bought a M8000 from David at NorthRidge 4x4 on special and installed it myself on a modified stock bumper. Now, for stage II of my build, I bought a bunch of AEV parts from David, including a front bumper.

While installing the AEV front bumper, I had quite a time relocating the divorced solenoid pack on the M8000, but finally bought a Warn bracket to mount it above the drum facing up. It was a tight fit and took most of an afternoon to get everything adjusted. When it was time to hook up the power and smoke test, the winch would spool out, but not back on the drum. I suspect the solenoid pack may have gone out as I recall having to hit the spool in button on the control more than once to get it to work on the old, stock bumper.

This is the second newer Warn winch I have had crap out on me (the other is a smaller ATV model on my Kubota 4x4 landscaping truck) and I was about to give up on the brand and just get something from Harbor Freight. Since Warn's headquarters is just up the road a piece, I'll give them a call and see if they have a reasonable solution.

Thanks for the recommendation.

-meljr

 

OP I bought the same winch and also was used, it wouldn’t free spool, so called Warn tech dept, they suggested engaging the gears and winching the line out all the way, then back in and carefully keeping the wire line tidy on the spool. It now it free spools.

Top marks for Warn tech.