Parts Needed to Install a Prodigy P2 Brake Controller on a 2008 Honda Ridgeline

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Question:

I have a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. I am going to get the Honda Tow package installed with the OEM trailer harnass 7 pin at the dealer. However, I want brake control. In my cart I have a Prodigy P2, and a Tekonsha Wire Replacement for Honda Ridgeline. Is this right? Will I be able to plug the prodigy in easily to the factor stuff?,I appreciate your help. I bought the prodigy with the correct wiring, and the honda guy found the plug under the dash just fine, and all the fuses seem to be in. However I am still getting no power to the prodigy. I'm going back tomorrow to see if we missed anything. Is there a good way to test the prodigy for at least basic functionality (powering up) in order to rule out any problems with the unit? Thanks

asked by: Eric W

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Expert Reply:

2008 Honda Ridgeline models that did not come with a factory 7-Way may not have a brake controller plug under the dash. You will need to check for the connector, and if it is there, you will need to ensure that all connections for the 7-Way are made correctly in the front and rear of the vehicle, and that any fuses or circuit breakers that are needed for the 7-Way and brake controller circuits are installed by Honda. It is common to see 7-Way plugs that only get partially installed to power brake light, turn signal, and tail light circuits for basic trailer towing, but in your case you will need to have all connections made.

If you have the plug under your dash and the tow package is set up properly, then you would be able to use the P2 brake controller # 90885 with the plug-in wiring harness, # 3070-P. This would be installed into the port located under the dashboard, to the left of the steering column. It is normally taped to another harness near the brake pedal.

If the factory plug is not on your Ridgeline, you would need to hard wire to install a brake controller, or it may be possible for Honda to install a brake controller plug for you. You would need to check with Honda to see if this can be done.

I am including links to some additional information on the P2 brake controller, if needed.

expert reply by: Sarah L

0

Eric

1/18/2011

I have a 2008 Honda Ridgeline. I am going to get the Honda Tow package installed with the OEM trailer harnass 7 pin at the dealer. However, I want brake control. In my cart I have a Prodigy P2, and a Tekonsha Wire Replacement for Honda Ridgeline. Is this right? Will I be able to plug the prodigy in easily to the factor stuff?,I appreciate your help. I bought the prodigy with the correct wiring, and the honda guy found the plug under the dash just fine, and all the fuses seem to be in. However I am still getting no power to the prodigy. I'm going back tomorrow to see if we missed anything. Is there a good way to test the prodigy for at least basic functionality (powering up) in order to rule out any problems with the unit? Thanks

Reply

Sarah L.

1/19/2011

Because your Ridgeline didn't come with the factory tow package, it is likely that all the wires for the plug are not ran as they should be. This is why it is recommended to hardwire a brake controller on models without the 7-Way plug--sometimes the manufacturers put the plug on every vehicle style, but only make the proper connections on models with the tow package. To test the brake controller unit, you can use the included pigtail and run leads from the black and white wires to the battery. Run a lead from the black 12v wire to the positive battery terminal with a 20 or 30 amp circuit breaker, and run a lead from the white ground wire to the negative battery terminal. This would give you the most basic power function on the brake controller. If the unit does not power up once you have done this, then it would likely need to be replaced. I would recommend that you test for power at the brake controller plug under the dash. Use a light tester like part # PTW2993 and use the sequence of the plug-in wiring for the brake controller as a reference. The four brake wires on the plug-in wiring are: Black: 12v lead, this wire should have constant power. Red: Stoplight switch. This wire gets a signal from your brake pedal to tell the controller when to activate the brakes. You should get a power reading only when you press the brake pedal. Blue: Electric brakes, attached to the blue electric brake wire on the 6 or 7-way plug. You can leave this wire alone for now, as this circuit gets power from the brake controller itself. White: Ground wire. To test this wire, first connect the ground on your tester to a clean metal area on the vehicle frame or to a factory ground post. Try testing a wire like the black one, that you know should have a constant power. If you get a good reading, try testing the black wire again with the ground on your tester clipped to the ground prong inside the factory plug. If you still get a reading on the black wire with your ground hooked up to this prong, you will know the ground is working as it should. You can use this information to match up the functions of the wires running into the factory plug. If you do find that the factory plug is not getting power, you would need to either have the connections hooked up or hardwire the brake controller.

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Parts Needed to Install a Prodigy P2 Brake Controller on a 2008 Honda Ridgeline

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