NC Error on Prodigy Brake Controller After Using Battery Charger on 2001 Dodge Ram

Question:

im not sure whats going on it normally has 2 little lights on but now it gomes up with a code N C on it. I did have dead battery the otherday and i had to use a battery charger on it. i also used the boast portion of the charger while i was cranking. im not sure what the error code N C means. if you have any advice please e-mail me. thanks it is installed on a 2001 dodge diesel D 250 with an automatic transmission. or if you can alert me for something i can check. thanks again

asked by: Fred M

Expert Reply:

The NC means not connected. That means your Prodigy brake controller is not sensing when a trailer is connected. It is hard to say if the battery charger you used caused this problem but if the brake controller was hardwired to the battery then it could have overloaded the controller causing an internal problem and the controller will have to be replaced.

There are some tests you can do though before replacing it. In the truck cab you will need to sever the blue wire several inches from the back of the controller. Then use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the end of the blue wire coming out of the controller. It should only have power when you apply the manual override. If it shows power at idle, then there is something wrong with the controller and it will need to be replaced.

If it tests fine then reconnect the blue wire. Then move on to the truck side trailer connector. Many times, dirt or corrosion can cause a short in a trailer connector. Make sure the truck and the trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out.

You can test the brake output pin and it should only show power with the manual override. If it shows power any other time then there is a short somewhere between the connector and the brake controller you will need to track down.

If the truck side checks out fine then it could be the wiring to the brake magnets or the magnets themselves. Inspect the power wires to the magnets and look for pinched, frayed, or damaged wires and fix as needed. Make sure the ground wires are attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

You can visually inspect the magnets and if you can see the copper windings coming through the magnets will need to be replaced. To further test the magnets you can follow the help article I have linked. I have also included some help articles on testing and troubleshooting brake controllers for you.

expert reply by: Michael H