Troubleshooting Brake Controller On Truck That Seems To Work Too Hard And Then Not At All

Question:

Hello. Ill jump rite Im. So I been doing some research for awhile now and purchased a prodigy p3 new truck I bought came with p2 Ive been used to using a standard brake controller for years. It seems with both the p2 and p3 Im not getting consistent braking power. Every time I hit the brakes it either dragging being me an then the next stop light its the total opposite the trailer is pushing the truck. Both are installed perfectly and I must have used everything setting from the weakest to the highest setting. I cant figure out what this is. Can you please help. I actually almost rearemded someone today because I hit the brakes and it felt like nothing was there. Thank you so much for taking time to answer and to help me. It is greatly appreciated.

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

What you are describing does not sound good. The Tekonsha P2 # 90885 and P3 # 90195 are both proportional brake controllers so they are intended to give you the same exact braking pressure at the same exact time as you hit the brakes in your truck. That is obviously not happening. Since you have looked at your settings and adjusted them, I recommend looking at your trailer brakes themselves. It sounds like there is a short somewhere in your wiring system of your trailer.

I recommend using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 and testing your wires at the 7-way of your truck first and running through each function. The manual override when you test your brake controller pin should illuminate brighter as you hit that slider. If everything checks out there, then plug the trailer in and test the braking system wires. It could be a bad ground or a short in the wire that is causing your issue since it seems to come and go.

I've attached some articles and videos to assist.

expert reply by: Jason S