Brake Controller on 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser Wont Actuate Trailer Brakes w/ Brake Pedal

Question:

Several years ago, I hooked up a truck with an eTrailer wire harness. Ive noticed that my Tekonsha P3 doesnt show that its applying any power when I brake 0.00. This is not a new installation but a new issue. The manual switch activates the brakes and it allows me to set Level 13. Ive set it B2. Ive got a dual axle 7000# landscape trailer. I tow with a 7000# 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser UZJ-100 Series. At one point a month ago, I got a Short message but I was not towing. I checked the vehicle connection and never got another Short message again. I figured it was water in the connection. Due to the low bracket mount, Ive bent and ruined the current bracket and am probably looking at replacing the truck side receptacle. That said, the trailer is a year old so I cant imagine the trailer has issues. So because this is a P3, I went through the Troubleshooting and it showed proper voltage for power but 0.00 for all other items.

asked by: Patrick N

Expert Reply:

So you're not getting trailer brakes with the brake pedal, only with the manual override switch, is that correct? The most common cause of that occurring is a bad stop lamp switch on the vehicle. You can use a circuit tester like # 40376 or go into the troubleshooting mode of your P3 and find the voltage on the red wire exiting the controller when the brake pedal is pressed. If you don't see voltage on that wire when the brake pedal is pressed, the stop light switch on the vehicle is bad and needs to be replaced.

Getting water or corrosion in the trailer connector would be a likely cause of the 'Short' error message. The # HM40975 from Hopkins would make a great replacement, if your current 7-way is damaged or corroded. You'd also need the wiring pigtail, part # PK11998.

I've linked you to the owner's manual for the Prodigy P3 brake controller, as well as to a brake controller troubleshooting FAQ article that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Mike L