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My 8274 Contactor Upgrade Wiring

Discussion in 'Winches' started by 4S50, Feb 10, 2021.

  1. Feb 10, 2021
    4S50

    4S50 I’m back!

    Idaho
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2002
    Messages:
    123

    I recently found a good used 8274 for my CJ5 and plan to use the solenoids and wiring that I was using for the Warn M5000 that was on the Jeep. I had already mounted the solenoids under the hood and moved the winch control plug in onto the dash. This worked great, the winch control is in the cab if you need to be behind the wheel when winching, yet is still long enough to reach the winch and the front of the Jeep. Also, by keeping the solenoids under the hood they are out of the weather and clean up the look of the winch.
    I found that my solenoids were shot, so I decided to upgrade to a Warn contactor, selecting part number 81400 as being suitable for the amp loads of the 8274.
    I also found some wiring diagrams online that made it look really straight forward to wire, although they all show the newer ‘D’ shaped plug rather than my existing round 7 pin plug, and all of the diagrams refer to wire color rather than pin location.
    I wired from my plug to the contactor and it did not work. I tried testing with a light, and everything lights up, haha.
    I called Warn and the helpful tech told me that I have the wrong contactor, I need Warn 98381. More internet searching revealed that 98381 is the new part number for 81400. They are the same part.
    I eventually checked continuity on my plug, and another Warn winch and I wired my on dash winch connector plug thusly to make my winch work with any Warn 7 pin controller.
    Pin #1-Contactor spade 2
    Pin #2-ground on the winch with battery ground
    Pin #3-12V+ terminal on the Contactor
    Pin #4-Contactor spade 1 (winch in)
    Pin #5-blank
    Pin #6-Contactor spade 3 (winch out)
    Pin #7-blank

    I hope this helps!
     
    matt johnson and bigbendhiker like this.
  2. Feb 10, 2021
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2011
    Messages:
    5,407
    interesting . newer winch is 7 plug
    my old 8274 is 4 prong
    Warn 8274.JPG
     
  3. Feb 10, 2021
    cjbilly

    cjbilly Member

    East Central Indiana
    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    Messages:
    50
    I was looking into using the Hopkins 48295 4 Round Towing Solutions plug set when I redo my 8274. This way I can keep the original 4 pin plug and cover look.
     
  4. Feb 10, 2021
    4S50

    4S50 I’m back!

    Idaho
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2002
    Messages:
    123
    They used the 4 prong plug until the 80’s, and they have since changed the plug again.
     
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