www.iFourWinns.com

Hey guys,
Any opinions on why my windlass stopped working?
When I activate the windlass up or down it does a clicking sound only, it just stopped working.
I have taken a look behind the lower deck mirror to see if there was a chain or rope jam and nothing was jammed. I checked the 15A fuse on the bow, looks good. I took the chrome cover off the windlass to check for a jam.... everything looks fine. I reset the windlass fuse on the panel and on the stern, and still nothing.

Can anyone here give any insight?

Ps: I know the cardinal rule of never pulling the boat with the windlass, always drive up to it, then activate the windlass.

Thanks to all in advance

Collin

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Funtastik
Gatineau, Qc. Canada
2000 298 Vista
http://village.photos/members/Funtastik/Funtastik

Confirm you have 12 volts at the motor than test the motor itself.

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

[quote="Funtastik"]Hey guys,
Any opinions on why my windlass stopped working?
When I activate the windlass up or down it does a clicking sound only, it just stopped working.
I have taken a look behind the lower deck mirror to see if there was a chain or rope jam and nothing was jammed. I checked the 15A fuse on the bow, looks good. I took the chrome cover off the windlass to check for a jam.... everything looks fine. I reset the windlass fuse on the panel and on the stern, and still nothing.

Can anyone here give any insight?

Ps: I know the cardinal rule of never pulling the boat with the windlass, always drive up to it, then activate the windlass.

Thanks to all in advance

maybe you just need to tighten the clutch so it doesn't slip

Does this problem only occur when retrieving the anchor?

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"One Moor Time" 2006 288 Vista
"Kalin II" 1995 258 Vista
"Kalin" 1985 Four Winns 215 Santara

Oops... just re-read your post and noticed it does not work in either direction. What brand of windlass? Do you have access to an owners manual? If not, calling the tech dept. at the company has worked for me in the past.

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"One Moor Time" 2006 288 Vista
"Kalin II" 1995 258 Vista
"Kalin" 1985 Four Winns 215 Santara

Thanks for all your input.
So far I've checked if there was power going to the winch motor, yup there was power.
Next I took out the winch motor and disassembled it.
At first the motor didn't want to turn when I tried with just hand power.
Next I used a vise-grip to grab on to the bottom gear and gave it a tug, it started turning.
I took the whole assembly apart, and turns out the motor was partially seized.
The amount of rust particles than came out of the casing was astonishing.
Today I'm going to clean everything with brake cleaner and re-assemble, then put it back in and hope it works.

The only thing that I haven't got a chance to look at so far is the foot controls for the windlass,
anyone here have experienced foot controls that stopped working.
The controls don't look complicated, I just never worked on those types of controls.

Thanks all, fingers crossed.
If everything works, I'll be able once more to wake up on the hook to the sounds of fluttering ducks (and some annoying flies).
Merci

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Funtastik
Gatineau, Qc. Canada
2000 298 Vista
http://village.photos/members/Funtastik/Funtastik

There should be a relay somewhere as well, maybe two, that could be a possible source for clicking, but no movement (if one is bad)...

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

Thanks for your input TFD,
As you say, I will look for other relays if I continue hearing the clicking sound.
I assume the relays would be in the bow where the rode and chain are? or maybe on the upper deck on the bow where the fuse and connections are.
Either way I'll find the little buggers (I hope), or maybe it's the foot controls themselves that are defective......... will try to take a look tonight after I re-install the winch motor.

A million thanks

Merci beaucoup
Collin

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Funtastik
Gatineau, Qc. Canada
2000 298 Vista
http://village.photos/members/Funtastik/Funtastik

Sounds like you have a bad solenoid. I had the same clicking sound and described it to my tech and he said to replace the solenoid and that was it.



Lewmar 52507 12V Solenoid LEW52507 1 134.03
Dual Direction
Subtotal 134.03
Shipping 13.58
Tax 0.00
Total 147.61

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Just an update for anyone who this is happening to:
I had the winch motor cleaned and re installed, it died (more like seized) within seconds when I tried it for the first time..
Now I pulled it out and sent it to be rebuilt by a local auto alternator/starter shop (instead of ordering a new one and waiting for weeks) and I am now ready to begin the re-install... i'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I also replaced the little angled wheel that the rode and chain rub on when pulling up the anchor... that roller was warn down to the metal.

If this motor fails, I'm ordering a new one and a solenoid.
I will prehistorically manually swing an anchor everytime we stop for the night and until I get the new parts.

ps: the 4 allen/key bolts that hold the motor upside down are a pain in the !@#$$ to remove.

Thanks to all, will update soon for those interested, and in case it happens to any of you

Collin

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Funtastik
Gatineau, Qc. Canada
2000 298 Vista
http://village.photos/members/Funtastik/Funtastik

I installed the newly cleaned winch motor.
Everything works fine, except for one thing, the down foot control is not working.
The dashboard switch works great.
So glad its fixed, and for only 25$
Mind you it was a pain in the !@@# to remove and install.

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Funtastik
Gatineau, Qc. Canada
2000 298 Vista
http://village.photos/members/Funtastik/Funtastik