Troubleshooting Prodigy P3 Brake Controller that Shorted Out and Blew Vehicle Fuses
Question:
In a recent question I restated advice given to test a prodigy p3 by touching blunt wire ends of the pigtail to the battery terminals. White to neg, black to positive. I did just that. There was arching at each terminal but the unit did light up. Although this was the anticipated results, I was told the arching would mean a bad unit. My p3 has not been getting power from the truck plug in set up. It worked great on three trips, but now the screen is black. No power at ignition where there was even without the trailer plugged in. So, if Im right that fuses are blowing its difficult to visually see the break can a bad p3 cause the fuse failure, or is something else going on? I can return the unit on warranty, but should I if the test shows it lights up when directly touched to the battery? I need guidance. Thanks
asked by: PAUL A
Expert Reply:
The P3 part # 90195 does not have a reputation for failing and causing the types of problems you are encountering but it's not totally impossible for that to happen. I'd be more inclined to believe that a trailer wiring short caused the brake controller to fail which then caused fuses to blow as the controller then shorted out the vehicle wiring. Again, this is not a common occurrence and the best I can do is speculate from here.
So returning the controller under warranty is the route you'd want to go, but I'd first check all of the brake output wiring on your trailer and vehicle to see if you can find a short and fix this prior so that you don't end up same boat.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LCD Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Q&A: How to Test Brake Controller without Trailer Connected
- Search Results: prodigy 3
- Shop: Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford
- Video: Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
- Q&A: Are Additional Fuses Required for Installation of Tekonsha Prodigy P3 on 2002 Chevy Avalanche
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Prodigy P3 90195 Brake Controller That Goes Dark When Manual Override is Pressed
- Q&A: How To Turn Off The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller # 90195
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Sending Same Power to Brakes with Manual Override or Brake Pedal
- Q&A: Voltage Readings with the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller
- Video: Choosing the Right Brake Controller
- Search Results: 44649
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: 68149
- Shop: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller - Dash Knob - 1 to 2 Axles - Proportional
- Search Results: 25580
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Search Results: dust cap
- Article: Towing a Trailer? Let's Talk About Brake Controllers
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Video: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller Review RED24FR
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Search Results: trailer brake controller
on Trailer Brake Controller
