Prodigy P2 90885 Brake Controller Not Seeing Trailer When Connected

Question:

Hello, I bought the prodigy p2 brake controller along with electric brakes which have been installed. All the functions of my truck connected to the trailer work except the brake controller does not show the trailer connected. I do have a light tester for current and the trailers brake wires will show current if the tester is connected to the wire and I touch the trailers metal. I get nothing if i connect to both wires alone. On my brake controller i do get n.c. when i engage the manual knob but i do not get anything to show the trailer is connected to the truck. I do not get any operating indicators to show any trouble shooting ideas. please help.

asked by: James H

Expert Reply:

Some where along the brake output circuit, you have an open connection or a bad ground. The most likely cause is usually a corroded or damaged trailer connector on the vehicle or the trailer.

Turn on the truck and have someone in the truck. Touch one lead from an incandescent circuit tester like # PTW2993 to the ground pin on the 7-Way and touch the other end to the brake controller pin. This should complete the circuit and the brake controller should read as though a trailer is connected, either .c or .c.

If the truck checks out, you will need to move onto the trailer. Check the magnets on the trailer brakes. The magnet should have 2 leads, one should be grounded to the brake assembly or trailer frame, the other lead should be connected to the brake controller wire. Trace these wires back up to the trailer connector. Check for frays, nicks or bad connections. Trace this all the way back up to the trailer connector.

I've linked you to some FAQ articles about brake controllers that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Patrick B