... yes we are trying to run my winch with bailing wire.
It worked almost as well as you might imagine.
Well through various tests I have determined that the culprit is my almost brand new remote. (I had to replace it this summer when some pond scum stole my first one.) But, the Warn service center that I am dealing with is reluctant to replace it under warranty until I prove that is the remote by either testing the remote on someone else's winch or I test my winch with someone else's remote. So, if your solenoid box looks like this...
(it can still have the pretty red 'W' on it, I just need the connector to look the same) and the end of your remote looks like this...
...and you are coming to the meeting tonight, could you please bring your remote so that I can test my winch.
I really appreciate the help. Turns out if I'm going to play with you guys in the snow, I for one need a working winch.
This time I called Warn's service department directly and talked to Steve S. and once I answered a few question about testing the solenoids and the remote, he just asked that I email him copies of my receipt and packing slip and told me my remote would be on the way. 
Turns out both important contacts were badly burnt. It is amazing this thing would work in one direction at all (mine would feed line, just did not like to pull it.) The contacts are so cheesy, tin, small that probably anyone of these remotes is subject to failure after a long pull or two. And, I say that realizing how little juice it takes to run the solenoids.
