To operate the winch from distance, a winch remote is a very convenient device in Polaris. But just like all other devices, sometimes, the remote may stop working.
So, why is the Polaris wireless winch remote not working?
Your Polaris wireless winch remote will not work if the remote is not installed properly. Also, if the remote has a dead battery or the remote is not programmed, it will not work. Other reasons for a dead remote are dirty contact, reverse plugs, and faults in the remote itself. To resolve this problem, install and program the remote correctly, change the battery, or clean the electric contact.
To know the processes in detail, keep reading the article.
Polaris Wireless Winch Remote Not Working: 6 Reasons & Solutions
Polaris is one of the most popular ATV brands there is. There can be several reasons behind the winch remote not working. You have to go through the reasons one by one and resolve them until the remote starts working. Here are the reasons with proper solutions.
| Reason | Solution |
| The Remote Isn’t Installed Properly | Install the winch remote correctly |
| Dead Battery | Replace the battery |
| The Remote Isn’t Reprogrammed | Program the winch remote |
| Dirty Contact | Clean the contact |
| Plugs Are Reversed | Correctly install the plugs |
| Faulty Remote | Replace the remote |
Reason 1: The Remote Isn’t Installed Properly
If the installation of the wireless remote to your ATV is not correct, the winch remote will not work.
Solution:
You have to remove and install the winch remote properly. It can be a tricky technique if you are not experienced with it. So, you can contact the authorized Polaris dealer for this. If you want to do this by yourself the following video will help.
Reason 2: Dead Battery
The most obvious solution to the winch remote problem is to replace the battery. If the battery is nearly dead, the remote will work but the connection will be weak and the performance won’t be constant.
Solution:
Replace the batteries of your Polaris winch remote. The Polaris Winch remotes require A23-type batteries.
However, even after changing the batteries, the remote might not work. Or the battery can also keep dying. A23 batteries aren’t much in demand in the market. So, you might not get fresh batteries. Make sure to check the dates on the batteries before you buy them.
Here are some good quality A23 batteries. Check out their price by the link in the table mentioned below.
| Battery Brand | Feature | Check Price |
| Energizer Zero Mercury Battery | This battery is a long-lasting and reliable choice for your winch remote. | Check Price |
| ACDelco 12-Count Battery | This battery has 5 years of shelf life and it is also an eco-friendly choice | Check Price |
| Toshiba Battery | It will provide constant power to your winch battery and as a result, the remote will perform great. | Check Price |
| GP 23AE Battery | This is an internationally recognized brand for selling great batteries. | Check Price |
Like the remote battery, your ATV’s battery can also keep dying for many reasons. If you notice something like that, take immediate action.
Reason 3: The Remote Isn’t Reprogrammed
After replacing the battery, if you don’t reprogram the remote, the remote won’t work.
Solution:
Here’s how to program Polaris wireless winch remote.
- Step 1: Press the On button of your winch remote and hold it for 3 seconds or until the LED light of the remote turns On.
- Step 2: Press the “In” button of the remote for 1-2 seconds to recover the winch cable.
- Step 3: Press the “Out” button of the remote for 1-2 seconds to extend the winch cable.
- Step 4: Wait for around 30 seconds. The winch remote will be automatically turned off.
- Step 5: press the power button again and hold it for 3 seconds. Now the remote is reprogrammed.
If the remote still doesn’t work, go to the next reason.
Reason 4: Dirty Contact
The contact where the remote is plugged in with the winch can accumulate dirt. As a result, the remote won’t get a proper connection.
Solution:
Check if the contact is dirty and if required, you have to clean it. Here’s how to clean the contact.
Step 1: Make sure the ATV is turned off.
Step 2: Open the connection of the winch remote.
Step 3: Spray 1 or 2 sprays of contact cleaner on the plug. With the help of a thin brush, clean the plug. Here are some good contact cleaner options you can consider.
| Contact Cleaner | Feature | Check Price |
| Maxima Contact Cleaner | This all-rounder contact cleaner can be a solution for cleaning every metal part of your ATVs and cars. | Check Price |
| WD-40 Contact Cleaner | This is the most popular brand of electric contact and corrosion cleaner. Soi, you can buy it without any doubt. | Check Price |
| CRC 2240 Contact Cleaner | This is a non-conductive cleaner with a chemically stable formula. | Check Price |
| Lucas Oil Contact Cleaner | This product is specifically made for cleaning electric plugs which leaves the surface spotless after cleaning. | Check Price |
Step 4: Connect the winch remote back. And check if the remote works.
Reason 5: Plugs Are Reversed
If the hot plug and the ground plug of the wireless connector are installed reversibly with the UTV, the winch remote will not work.
Solution:
Check the plug of the winch remote connector. If the plugs were reversed, remove the plugs. The ground plug will be connected to the battery post. And the hot LED plug will be connected to an orange wire with a spade connector.
Reason 6: Faulty Remote
If none of the above solutions works, sadly the remote itself is faulty.
Solution:
You have to replace the winch remote the price will depending on the quality.
Another thing, while winching or towing, make sure not to take an excessive load. All ATVs have a limited towing capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How do you get a Polaris winch unstuck?
To get the Polaris winch unstuck, you have to free up the spool. Put some weight on the plow blade top. It will create some slack on the cable. After that, pull out the rest of the rope with your hand. It will unstick the winch.
How does Polaris auto-stop winch work?
The Polaris auto-stopwatch consists of a fairlead sensor and a rubber bump stop. When the cable or rope is fully retracted, the rubber bump comes close to the sensor of the fairlead. It triggers the sensor to send a signal to the winch motor to stop running.
Conclusion
Here goes the solutions for Polaris wireless winch remote not working problem. I hope after reading this article you will be able to solve the issue.
If you have to buy a new remote, try to pick a high-quality one. It will go longer. And don’t forget to install it properly.
That’s all for now. Good luck!
