This was a new winch and the only time I literally used it was a few months ago I when I bought a synthetic winch rope. I used the winch motor to unwind the steel cable and then I used the winch motor again to put the synthetic rope on with tension as required. The vehicle sat outside in the winter months of Seattle where it was very cold and raining daily.
I needed to use the winch to recover a work van that was stuck at edge of driveway. When I tried to let out the rope with the winch motor, it no longer just powered the winch with steady power. It would do pulses where it could only winch about 6 inches with each pulse. It had pulling power, but it was nearly impossible to use. It did this whether it was going out or pulling in, whether if it had a load on it or no load.
I haven't taken the control module apart to look at it closer yet, so I do not know if it has 2 or 4 solenoids. My guess is 2. Since it happens going out or in, I am inclined to thing it isn't the solenoids. I have only tried it with the wireless remote, so its possible that its something to do with that. I am not sure.
I checked the wire connections and everything is connected and has good connection.
What could cause this?