How To Wire A Winch Without A Solenoid [5 Easy Steps To Follow]

Winches are integral parts of your car, and at the time of emergency, you can unstick your vehicle if they lose traction or get stuck in sand, mud, or water. 

On the flip side, the solenoid is a type of electromagnet that helps to produce a uniform magnetic field with a specific coil. It saves the winch from accidental explosions and prevents winches from burning up. 

But if you think that your winches must need a solenoid. It is a wrong concept. You can wire the winches without solenoid if you know the exact procedure. But you don’t have any idea about how to wire a winch without a solenoid.  Well, don’t worry; here we are to solve your issue. 

At A Glance

First, you have to identify the exact problem and keep the car’s gear in a neutral position. After that, disconnect all the battery’s terminals to do the job safely. Now, use a 5-6″ jumper wire and connect A to F1 points with it. Finally, connect the power source and check the motor. 

It is a brief description of all the procedures. But you have to know the steps in detail to perform this DIY job like a pro. To know the detailed steps keep your eyes on our complete guide till the end. 

How To Wire A Winch Without A Solenoid

You can easily wire a winch without a solenoid with some simple and effective steps. It takes only 10-15 minutes to do the job. But before starting your task, you have to prepare some equipment to assist you and lessen your hassle. Let’s see what tools you need. 

Significant Equipment to Wire Winch without Solenoid

  •  A spanner or pliers
  • Jumper cables
  • A winch solenoid diagram

Now you are ready with your tools to start wiring the winch without a solenoid. 

Step 1: Identify the problem

The first and foremost job in the entire process is to identify the problem correctly. When you want to wire a winch without a solenoid, make a clear manifestation of the solenoid to start. You can take help from a winch solenoid wiring diagram that displays the motor’s design.

Step 2: Maintain the car’s neutral gear

Now put the winch in a free spool and have your car in neutral gear. It will let the system move easily. You have to ensure the winch has no load when doing it. You should also check whether the poles match correctly or not. It is a safety precaution to prevent any accident.

Step 3: Disconnect the car’s battery terminals

In this stage, disconnect the terminals from the battery that starts with the positive lead. It will be the best thing if you leave the ground lead engaged. Now by using the diagram, label the cables. Disconnect the terminals with a  pair of pliers or spanners. There are three posts near the motor. It is your vital work to label them as  A, F1, and F2.

Step 4: Use 5-6″ jumper wires to connect A to F1 points

This time you need 5-6″ jumper wires. Here You have to run the cable from point A to F1 safely and avoid the chafe spots. Then connect it to the battery through F2. After completing this connection, you will get your winch motor to run in one direction.

Step 5: Connect the power source and check the motor

When you complete the cable connection, repeat the A and F2 posts process. In this case, you have to follow the F1 post to connect the power source. You’ll get the motor to run on the opposite side. That’s all.

So, following the above ways, you can wire a winch without a solenoid ideally. But, you should check the motor working procedure in both directions. If that is the case, the problem may be within the switch.

FAQ

Is A Solenoid Necessary On A Winch?

Solenoid helps winch in many ways. But it doesn’t mean that it is a must on a winch. You can wire a winch without a solenoid in case of emergency.

When Should I Wire A Winch Without A Solenoid?

Well, you know that solenoid is very important to the winch motor. It saves the winch from burning up. But some situations may arise where you need to wire a winch without a solenoid. You’ll understand that situation-

If contaminated or dirty gases are visible.
If you notice solenoid overheating as the wiring

Why Do I Need A Solenoid On A Winch?

Solenoid helps to lessen the strain on the winch motor. You can get a  smooth pulling winch with the help of a solenoid. When excess electric discharge, the solenoid switch acts as a fuse. Additionally, it reduces extra wiring and prevents short-circuiting because it may lead to chafing.

Why Do You Bypass A Winch Solenoid?

When you get your solenoid system malfunctioning and troubleshooting the winch engine, you need to bypass a winch solenoid. Before doing this, you must have a specific idea about the solenoid system. Make a map of its terminals, then recognize which to bypass.

How Do I Wire A Winch Solenoid?

You can wire the winch solenoid by following some simple steps. 

First, start with the positive and negative motor wires’ connection from the winch to the solenoid. 
Connect the wires to the correct terminals and fasten the terminals’ nuts back. 
Next, make the right connection to all the battery wires with the solenoid switch.
Finally,  connect the battery wires to the car’s battery and fasten them.

Conclusion 

This article will help you learn how to wire a winch without a solenoid. You will get the best output by following all these simple steps. 

However, the winch is a vital part of a car. The solenoid is the substantial assistant of the winch, but yet you do not need a solenoid for every winch. The solenoid is a significant factor in regulating the electric current from the car’s battery.

And, with its help, the winch can work well. But nothing to do if there is an issue with your winch motor. Because in some situations, you need to do without solenoids and go ahead. All the best!

Ricardo Vaughn
Ricardo Vaughn

Vaughn is a seasoned off-roading expert and professional winch specialist. When he's not out on the trails, he shares his knowledge and experiences through his writing as a blog author in the off-roading and outdoor lifestyle space.

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