The Best Snow Plow Solenoid

A snow plow solenoid is the electrical switch that sends power from your truck’s battery to the plow’s hydraulic pump.

When it fails, the blade stops lifting, the angle stops responding, and you are left under the hood of a dead plow in the middle of a storm.

It is one of the most common plow failures, yet it is also one of the easiest parts to replace when you have the right unit.

Snow Removal Wiki evaluates snow gear through research, not guesswork. This guide focuses on the best snow plow solenoid for trucks, ATVs, and commercial plows, using specifications, expert review consensus, verified buyer feedback, and published data.

If you are also refreshing the rest of your winter setup, our review of snow blowers at Amazon and our guide to choosing an electric snow plow for smaller driveways are worth a read.

Scroll on for the top picks, starting with the best snow plow solenoid for most truck plows.

Best Snow Plow Solenoid Buying Guide

How a Plow Solenoid Works

A plow solenoid sits between the battery and the hydraulic pump. When you hit the switch in the cab, the solenoid closes the circuit and sends current to the pump motor.

On two-way and three-way plows, a second solenoid manages the angle function. Understanding this role matters because a weak solenoid can make the blade drift, click, or stop responding entirely.

Duty cycle is part of the same story. An intermittent duty solenoid is fine for short lifts, while a continuous duty unit is built for plows that hold the blade in position for long stretches.

A commercial snow plow that runs all day needs continuous duty hardware. A homeowner’s setup can usually get away with an intermittent unit. Check the spec before you buy.

Voltage and Amperage Rating

Most truck plows run on a 12V electrical system, but the hydraulic pump draws different amperage depending on the plow size. A solenoid rated too low will overheat and weld its contacts shut.

Choose a rating that matches or exceeds the original part. The factory spec is usually stamped on the metal body of the old solenoid.

For light trucks and SUVs, alternator output matters too. Some compact frames, like the compact snow plow for a Jeep setups we have covered, benefit from a solenoid with a slightly higher amperage rating to compensate for smaller batteries.

Duty Cycle and Build Quality

Duty cycle tells you how long the solenoid can stay energized without overheating. A continuous duty solenoid uses heavier internals and a sealed case, which matters for plows that sit with the blade held up during long trips.

Intermittent units are lighter and cheaper, but they are only meant for short activation.

Build quality shows up in the terminals and housing. Brass studs resist corrosion better than plated steel, and a waterproof case keeps salt spray away from the coil.

This is the same logic you will find in the heavy-duty snow blowers at Ace Hardware we have reviewed. Outdoor gear needs to survive the season, not just a single storm.

Mounting and Terminal Layout

Not every solenoid uses the same terminal arrangement. Some have four posts with two large battery studs and two small coil studs. Others use a three-terminal layout. Before ordering, compare the terminal positions against your existing bracket.

A solenoid that fits electrically but not physically is worse than no solenoid at all.

Mounting brackets also vary. Many aftermarket units include a universal bracket, while OEM parts are shaped to fit a specific plow frame. Polaris Glacier plow setups, for example, have tight mounting locations, so verify the bracket dimensions before you buy.

Brand Compatibility

The major plow brands, Meyer, Western, Fisher, and Boss, all use a similar 12V solenoid design, but the part numbers are not interchangeable. Meyer plows commonly use part 15370. Western and Fisher use the 5794 or 56131K series.

Boss RT3 plows use a Trombetta-style continuous duty solenoid. Match the part number stamped on your old unit before ordering a replacement.

If you also run a Fisher salt spreader in the same fleet, keep a spare solenoid for both. The spreader motor uses a similar relay, so one universal solenoid can get you out of a jam during a storm.

Why You Should Trust Us

Snow Removal Wiki is an independent publication. We do not sell plows and we do not accept payments from brands for placement.

Every product in this guide was evaluated with our SRW Score, a 0 to 10 rating built from the same criteria across the category. We analyze manufacturer specifications, expert review consensus, verified buyer feedback, and published data with cited sources.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback.

That approach helps us catch patterns a single owner review cycle would miss, like long-term corrosion issues or repeat failures in the same part number. It also keeps our methodology transparent.

The same research process goes into our ice melt jug guide and our analysis of snow blower prices.

Final Thoughts

A dead solenoid is one of the few plow problems you can fix in under an hour. The picks below cover the most common plow brands and duty cycles, so you can choose with confidence.

• Best Overall: The ROP Shop Heavy Duty 12 Volt Solenoid scored at the top of our group for its continuous duty design, sealed case, and strong owner satisfaction across Boss RT3 plows.
• Best for Western and Fisher Plows: Western Snow Plow 25634 Fisher 5794 5794K-1 HYD01633 Powerseal DC Contactor matches the factory part number and carries the same top SRW Score in our lineup.
• Best Budget Pick: FridayParts 12V Universal Relay Solenoid 4 Post is the most affordable way to get a plow moving again, and it still holds a solid score in our rating.
• Best OEM-Style Meyer Replacement: Motor Solenoid, Replaces Meyer 15370 mirrors the factory layout, which makes it a direct swap for classic Meyer plows.
• Best Genuine OEM Upgrade: Genuine OEM Trombetta 684-1251-012-02 12V Solenoid Kit is a factory-grade part for Boss, SnowDogg, and other Trombetta-based systems, with a top-tier score in our evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does a Snow Plow Solenoid Do?

The solenoid is the relay between the battery and the hydraulic pump. When you press the raise, lower, or angle switch, it closes the circuit and sends power to the pump.

A failed solenoid means the pump never gets power, so the plow stays frozen. Before you tear into the hydraulic system, check this part first.

What Is the Difference Between a Continuous and an Intermittent Duty Solenoid?

An intermittent duty solenoid handles short bursts of current and is common on older Meyer plows. A continuous duty solenoid stays energized for long periods, which is what you need when the blade is held up while driving.

If you keep replacing intermittent units, move up to a continuous duty version. The same spec-first thinking applies when you shop for a snow blower for wet heavy snow or a snow blower for blizzard conditions.

How Do I Know If My Plow Solenoid Is Bad?

Listen for a rapid clicking sound, watch for a blade that lifts slowly or not at all, and notice if the blade drifts down after you raise it. A multimeter can confirm whether the solenoid is passing voltage.

If the coil reads open, replace the part. Do this check before the season starts, just like you would prep a snow blower for Maine or a snow blower for Ohio before the first snow.

Can I Install a Snow Plow Solenoid Myself?

Yes. Most owners can swap a solenoid in under an hour with basic hand tools. Disconnect the battery first, mark the wires, remove the two large cables, and unbolt the bracket.

Match the terminal layout to the old unit and reassemble. It is one of the more approachable winter equipment repairs, especially compared with maintaining a snow blower for Massachusetts winters or a snow blower for a townhouse setup.

What Brands Are Compatible With My Plow?

Compatibility depends on the part number, not the brand sticker. The major families are Meyer 15370, Western 5794, Fisher 5794K-1, and Trombetta 684-1221-012. Cross-reference your old part before buying.

If you maintain a fleet with an ATV salt spreader or a snow blower for Illinois in the garage, keep one universal relay on hand for quick swaps.

What Is the Best Snow Plow Solenoid?

The best snow plow solenoid for most trucks is a continuous duty, sealed unit that matches the original part number and terminal layout. For our specific winner, see the Best Overall pick in the Final Thoughts section above.

And if your winter routine goes beyond the driveway, a roof snow rake is a cheap way to protect the edges of the house while the plow handles the pavement.

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