What was the verdict, winch control connector bad? And motor still good?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Why cant you put another winch in? Most winches have the same bolt hole pattern only differences might be width/height/depth etc. but you could shop around. Ive had two warn winches fail on me in less than a couple years with light use. Then went to a smitty submersible and never had an issue. I plan on ordering the winch plates etc from ford and using a smitty.I will say, this moment has me somewhat regretting getting the factory winch for two reasons:
I do like the looks, and really, really like the fact it’s crash tested (along with the rest of the front bumper). But dang those are some downsides.
- I’m limited on choice in every regard. I need to go to a Ford dealership to get warranty service, and getting into a dealership in this area is brutal. They’re all booking nearly a month out. Also need to stick with this exact winch even if I wanted to try something different.
- The winch is nigh unserviceable. Need to remove the front bumper to do anything other than changing the rope. That’s brutal if there’s an issue.
IIRC, Ford doesn't sell just the plates, and the Tremor specific Warn winch has a unique frame and bolt pattern.Why cant you put another winch in? Most winches have the same bolt hole pattern only differences might be width/height/depth etc. but you could shop around. Ive had two warn winches fail on me in less than a couple years with light use. Then went to a smitty submersible and never had an issue. I plan on ordering the winch plates etc from ford and using a smitty.
Totally fair. Glad to hear you're OK after those crashes! That's crazy how many red light runners you've encountered.Fair comments. Only relating my experience from my own years of crash data.
Ohh I see, so you replaced the connector. Got it. In that case I'm definitely waiting for the dealer to deal with it. I did try to get to the connector and couldn't see or access anything. On the front side the adaptive cruise module was in the way (am not touching that at risk of putting it out of alignment) and on the backside there's so little room to access things, and all of the connections, short of a ground cable, are on the top-side of the winch.I cut the wires on both sides of the plug and reconnected with marine heat shrink butt connectors.
Unknown at this point. Will need to wait for the dealer to diagnose. They can deal with removing the bumper lol.What was the verdict, winch control connector bad? And motor still good?
Bronco is correct. The Ford winch is an older Warn winch that's been modified to fit in the tight constraints of the Super Duty front bumper. It has an 8" mounting pattern and fairlead compared to the 10" pattern and fairlead standard winches have. I believe there's some other differences around how the solenoid box/contactors/etc are mounted, though don't know for sure.Why cant you put another winch in? Most winches have the same bolt hole pattern only differences might be width/height/depth etc. but you could shop around. Ive had two warn winches fail on me in less than a couple years with light use. Then went to a smitty submersible and never had an issue. I plan on ordering the winch plates etc from ford and using a smitty.
Very true. Didn't ask about that, but I really do suspect they didn't even try to figure where the sparks were coming from other than "the winch".Would've been nice if they said if the sparks were coming from the solenoid pack at least, since the motor is sealed up and not a path for visible sparks to escape really.
That’s awesome! I’m really curious about the long-term support of this winch. It seems Warn has been punting all support to Ford, which means a service like that may be out of the question when out of warranty.I have a Warn winch 9.5ti that lost a solenoid. I took it to Warn in Beaverton and a few weeks later got a call from them letting me know it was done. They replaced all the wiring, all 4 solenoids, motor etc. (basically a new winch) and it costs about 350 dollars.
In this case though, its a warn and they are known for reliability. I had one in my powerwagon and never an issue. Hopefully its just a fluke.Sorry that happened....one reason I wouldn't spend $3K on a winch. I was lambasted on this forum for buying a Chinese winch (Zeak) at 10% the cost with the usual comments about reliability. Some of Ford's OEM features are a bit over-rated.
Ya I've noticed that as well, where it's a factory option but dealer installed and that changes the warranty service a bit. Seems like Ford proper covers the winch itself, but the installing dealer is who warranties the install?Just adding to the conversion of broken winches. First time using winch it would work for a few seconds and then stop. Wait a min and then it would work for a few seconds and stop. I check all connections in contactor box and everything was good. Took it to a local dealer (bought truck out of state) and they looked at it and said they needed to contact ford. They put very little effort other than it doesn't work. Ford told them replace the winch. They said ok, but then called me back and said they cant since it was a dealer installed accessory eventhough its on teh window sticker they dont know how to bill for it. Called ford myself and they said they will absolutely pay for it and dealer doesn't have to accept work they dont want to do. Finally after several calls to Ford corporate I have a case open with dealer relations team who will contact local dealer and see what they can work out. Im very certain its just the bad contactor box but ford only sells winch as an entire kit. Still waiting for resolution and winch still useless on an 80k truck. Never even got a chance to use it.
Eh, Warn has one hell of a good reputation. Not only for reliability, but for standing behind their winches with parts and service over the long haul.Sorry that happened....one reason I wouldn't spend $3K on a winch. I was lambasted on this forum for buying a Chinese winch (Zeak) at 10% the cost with the usual comments about reliability. Some of Ford's OEM features are a bit over-rated.
I mean, replacement is far less about the winch and far more about the bumper/mounting around it. Aftermarket bumpers intended for a winch do tend to be far easier to access the winch (both in use and for replacement/service).I was bummed I didn’t get a factory winch but it seems like issues with it are popping up. I was fortunate enough to have a lady hit my bumper and make the decision easy for me. After seeing this thread I couldn’t be happier with the direction I went. Plus replacing an Apex winch is very easy. I think the final product came out great. Posting incase people are interested in different options.
Ham will do that to you lol.Glad this is working out, but also a drag to read. Somehow I missed all this when I was going HAM bonkers.
Sure would be a shame if just before you took it in somebody just happened to steal the rope off your truck.Just got off the phone with the service advisor. He's still working with Ford on getting the replacement. In explaining things he said they are indeed trying to avoid root causing the failure since it's an accessory. Apparently it's standard practice with accessories like this that they don't take them apart and just replace them all-up.
A big reason he's pushing for that is time savings. He doesn't want to need to have me come in two more times - once to remove the winch for diagnosis and a second time for re-installation.
I didn't push back on him, but it does raise the question of "why not remove the winch the first time?" since they had my truck for the better part of a full day already.
The way he was speaking it's clear I'm not going to keep the broken winch - not surprising - but he is going to ask Ford about me keeping the winch rope. Would be nice to keep it as an extension and backup rope. But it may need to go back with the winch as a full package in order for them to honor the warranty.