Tekonsha Primus IQ Brake Controller Does Not Activate Trailer Brakes when Connected to 2001 Ram 2500

Question:

MY SON HAS THE TEKONSHA PRIMUS IQ and BOUGHT THE 3020P HARNESS FOR HIS 2001 RAM 2500 W/FACTORY TOW PACKAGE and 7 WAY CONNECTOR. WITH THE TRAILER CONNECTED THE CONTROLLER DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKES ON THE TRAILERSHOWS NO BRAKE FORCE, UNPLUG THE TRAILER AND THE CONTROLLER TRYS TO ACTIVATE THE BRAKES.SHOWS BRAKE FORCE ANY IDEAS? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

asked by: WAYNE A

Expert Reply:

What does the Primus brake controller # TK90160 display when the trailer is connected and you are not using the brake pedal or the manual override? With the trailer connected it should display .c or .c. which means a trailer is connected.

If you are just sitting and step on the brake pedal it is not going to send back power because the controller is not sensing any movement. But if you use the manual override it should display the power output level you have the controller set to.

Make sure that the gain or power adjustment is set higher than zero otherwise it will not work with the manual lever or the brake pedal. Also make sure that the controller is mounted within the range specified in the instructions and that it is not tilted or turned to the side.

I also recommend checking the vehicle and trailer side connectors to make sure they are clean and free of corrosion inside where the wires attach and outside on the pins. A dirty or corroded connector could cause a short and overload the system. If that is the case you would see oL for overload or SH for short.

You will also want to make sure that the stop light and/or CHMSL fuse is not blown because if it is blown then the brake controller will likely only work with the manual override. I have included some links on testing and troubleshooting brake controllers for you as well.

expert reply by: Michael H