How to get Power to the 7-Way on a 2004 Chevrolet Pickup for Installation of the Prodigy RF

Question

Question:

Under the hood of the 2004 Chevrolet pickup there are two power posts located at the power distribution box, see photo at right. The most forward power post is the one that is used for supplying power to the 7-Way connector at the rear of the vehicle. There should be a large 40 amp fuse at the location nearest the power stud and a M8 nut, item # 185917, is used to attach the power wire to the stud. If there is a fuse that is not working or a dummy at this location you will need to replace it with a working fuse. If there is not a wire attached to this location then one will need to be ran to the back of the vehicle and attached to the proper location in the 7-Way connector. We recommend using 10 gauge wire, item # 10-1-1, for this application. Since your vehicle has the factory camper/fifth wheel trailer wiring package you should not have to run this wire unless it was removed at some point. I have included a link to our wiring page, that shows the connections inside the 7-Way that need to be made. About 1/2 way down the page you will see a photo of the 7-Way vehicle connector. The 12 volt power wire for powering the Prodigy RF, item # TK94FR, should be attached to the number 4 (labeled black) terminal inside the 7-Way connector.

asked by: Judy G

0

Expert Reply:

Under the hood of the 2004 Chevrolet pickup there are two power posts located at the power distribution box, see photo at right. The most forward power post is the one that is used for supplying power to the 7-Way connector at the rear of the vehicle.

There should be a large 40 amp fuse at the location nearest the power stud and a M8 nut, item # 185917, is used to attach the power wire to the stud. If there is a fuse that is not working or a dummy at this location you will need to replace it with a working fuse. If there is not a wire attached to this location then one will need to be ran to the back of the vehicle and attached to the proper location in the 7-Way connector. We recommend using 10 gauge wire, item # 10-1-1, for this application. Since your vehicle has the factory camper/fifth wheel trailer wiring package you should not have to run this wire unless it was removed at some point.

I have included a link to our wiring page, that shows the connections inside the 7-Way that need to be made. About 1/2 way down the page you will see a photo of the 7-Way vehicle connector. The 12 volt power wire for powering the Prodigy RF, item # TK94FR, should be attached to the number 4 (labeled black) terminal inside the 7-Way connector.

expert reply by: Robert G

0

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Judy G.

4/13/2011

Under the hood of the 2004 Chevrolet pickup there are two power posts located at the power distribution box, see photo at right. The most forward power post is the one that is used for supplying power to the 7-Way connector at the rear of the vehicle. There should be a large 40 amp fuse at the location nearest the power stud and a M8 nut, item # 185917, is used to attach the power wire to the stud. If there is a fuse that is not working or a dummy at this location you will need to replace it with a working fuse. If there is not a wire attached to this location then one will need to be ran to the back of the vehicle and attached to the proper location in the 7-Way connector. We recommend using 10 gauge wire, item # 10-1-1, for this application. Since your vehicle has the factory camper/fifth wheel trailer wiring package you should not have to run this wire unless it was removed at some point. I have included a link to our wiring page, that shows the connections inside the 7-Way that need to be made. About 1/2 way down the page you will see a photo of the 7-Way vehicle connector. The 12 volt power wire for powering the Prodigy RF, item # TK94FR, should be attached to the number 4 (labeled black) terminal inside the 7-Way connector.

Reply

Bob G.

4/13/2011

It sounds like there is one of two issues going on. The easiest to check will be ground. Make sure that the ground wire from the trailer connector is attached to the trailer frame, and that the attachment point is free of rust, paint and primer. As long as you have a good ground connection between the vehicle and the trailer you should not need to physically attach the trailer to the truck. Check the inside of the trailer connectors for corrosion that could be causing the ground issue also. The second issue may be that your vehicle connector and trailer connector are not wired the same. The wiring for the Prodigy RF will require industry standard 7-Way wiring. I have attached a photo of both the vehicle side and trailer side wiring diagram for you to review. I like to use a test light, item # PTW2993, for checking and making these connections, but a multi-meter, item # BTMT15, will work also. Finally if the ground connection is good and the trailer harness and vehicle connector wiring is correct you may need to go back to the directions for the Prodigy RF, item # TK94FR, (see link below) and follow the directions for pairing the remote to the trailer mounted unit. For the Pridigy RF to function and pair properly you need to have an active left and right turn brake signal and 12 volt power sulpply in the 7-Way connector. There are 7 solutions if the N.C. reading is flashing, make sure you check all of these possibilities. 1. Power Module not connected to tow vehicle. 2. Trailer connector disconnected or corroded. 3. Key off or Loss of Battery Power from tow vehicle. 4. Trailer connected with open circuit on the brake line. 5. Loss of trailer brake magnet ground. 6. Loss of RF Communications, signal or interference. 7. Unit not paired or improperly paired.

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