Snowplow issue

[Bret4207]

This is a post I made to a snowplow forum, but I thought someone here might have some idea on where I need to go next. You guys rarely fail me!!! Thanks!

Bought an 05 GMC 2500 that came with a Western Ultramount plow. I've cleaned up all the terminals, checked/cleaned grounds and all connectors. Also cleaned all the solenoid valves. Current issue is that if I swing the plow to either side the plow will then not drop or raise. When I hit raise, the plow will swing left IIRC. If I let is swing all the way left, sometimes it will then drop and lift. I noticed that when it won't drop or lift, one of the solenoid valves, S1 I think, has power to it with the controller in the neutral position. If I unhook the plow connector, the 11 pin connector of the 3 plug system, and let it "reboot" so to speak, it will have an open circuit at the S1 solenoid then.


I'm no electrical genius, but this looks to me like a controller board issue. Am I on the right track? Thanks for any help that's offered!

 

[Dusty MI]

If it's one Knob/handle that you move to move it, then it could be that handle/controller. Maybe spray come contact cleaner on/in it.

 

[Goose]

You may have to adjust the check valve a bit.

It's the valve on the back side of the pump with a lock nut, and it takes an allen wrench to turn it.

Caution, don't move it over 1/8th of a turn at a time, and always remember where you started from. It can be touchy.

 

[Doug - Iowa]

Mine does that a couple times each year. Every time, a very good cleaning of the controller connector solves the problem. I'm talking about the big flat rubber one with a dozen or so pins between the truck and the plow. I use a .22 cal bore brush on the female end and a wire brush on the male end with lots of WD40. Brush until you think its clean then go about another minute. Then blow out well with air and put a light coat of No-Ox connector grease. Plug in tightly, if the plow is going to be on for several days I zip tie it for extra support. Works for me, hopefully will for you.

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 17:03:50 12/20/22) Mine does that a couple times each year. Every time, a very good cleaning of the controller connector solves the problem. I'm talking about the big flat rubber one with a dozen or so pins between the truck and the plow. I use a .22 cal bore brush on the female end and a wire brush on the male end with lots of WD40. Brush until you think its clean then go about another minute. Then blow out well with air and put a light coat of No-Ox connector grease. Plug in tightly, if the plow is going to be on for several days I zip tie it for extra support. Works for me, hopefully will for you.

I've cleaned everything and then some. Took the cover off the controller. Obvious signs over overheating on the circuit board. I read that this is common, plus it's 17 years old. Time for a new board.

Thanks for the thoughts guys!

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Go to the western plow website and go to the resources page. Find the mechanics guide for that model and work thru the troubling shooting. They give you what wires to check and which solinoids should be moving for each different plow operation.

I've had to work thru it a few times on my western..... usually in the middle of a blizzard at -30. Haha

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 22:32:41 12/21/22) Go to the western plow website and go to the resources page. Find the mechanics guide for that model and work thru the troubling shooting. They give you what wires to check and which solinoids should be moving for each different plow operation.

I've had to work thru it a few times on my western..... usually in the middle of a blizzard at -30. Haha

Already downloaded it, thanks.

 

[the tractor vet]

Welp after 20 years of commercial snow plowing the one thing i learned was they never gave you one tiny problem during the summer . My first plow was a western way back in 73 that one never gave me one second of problems even during the blizzard or 77 where it got really beat on . In the fall of 77 i sold my 73 and bought my vary first sun kissed lemon a brand new 1978 Ford F 250 Snow Patrol . the night i bought it we had a big storm coming in and i gave 10217.36 for that truck in cash , It never made it home from the dealer they had to send a tow truck , it was a Thursday evening and they were open till 9 . I was a wee bit hostile and told them that nobody was going home till that truck ran . The owner of the dealership , the parts manage , the service manager and head mechanic stayed and worked on it at 4:30 Am and hour and a half after i should have been out it was still not running and i told the owner to go fetch the keys for the Black Ranger snow patrol as i did not pay him for a new truck that will not run so he went out and got the Black truck and we took it and i got to plowing , went back around 11:30 and they told me mine was fixed and i looked at the service manager and said get in we are going for a ride and we did . we got three miles from the dealership when it died again and a wrecker had to be called to drag it back in . That truck had a Myers on it and it was like the truck always down when ya needed it , i carried a extra lift unit in the cab and sometimes they would both go down . I believe i stocked more repair part for it the Myer dealer did.