We took the winch in to my favorite 4x4 performance shop. It was a Magnum 9K winch. The 9K is an entry-level winch. Originally got it for getting my Jeep out of a situation (PRV -Personal Recovery Vehicle). Problem was, it allowed me to go to all kinds of places and then get back out. It also allowed me to assist other people in getting themselves out of situations where I was the only guy that could assist them. I always did help (2 cardinal rules - 1. You get to hook up my winch cable to your car <that way if the winch pulls your bumper off as it was not connected properly it is your fault), 2. Pay it forward).
So, I guess that I didn't use it as an entry-level winch. They analyzed it and it would have cost $375-$400 to fix. Bad solenoid and activator. Some other electronic things.
I thought about it. The cable had seen a lot of use and needed replacing. I decided to get a new winch instead - One more fitted to the way that I use my Jeep. I now have a Warn XD9000 (
http://www.warn.com/truck/winches/src/XD9000.shtml). They got it for me at a great price. They also told me what I should have done. They suggested that I take the power (positive) cable and short it to the forward or reverse motor connection - that would have bypassed the electronics. Of course, it also would have wasted the motor, so make sure you have to do it before you bypass the electronics.
I have already used it. I was on Redcone Pass last weekend and pulled a stock Wrangler out of an obstacle they probably shouldn't have been in.
I let the guy know that my first field pull was for him and it should have been for me.
When people winch, please use a tree strap. Lots of trails here in Colorado have half cut through trees by not using tree straps.
Aint Jeeping fun?