Troubleshooting Prodigy RF Brake Controller that Wont Pair with Porsche Cayenne

Question:

I have a 2012 Porsche Cayenne that we just had a hitch installed on. The wiring on the 7-way seems to be fine as the trailer lights work properly i.e. left and right signals as well as brakes. We have a brand new dual axle trailer wells cargo. I then purchased and installed the prodigy RF unit but it wont react as the instructions say it should. First question I have is why does it appear from these blogs that different prodigy units do different things during install e.g. unit never flashes 0.0 but still pairs, unit doesnt display 0.0 so just rotate know fully clockwise even though the display show n.c, if rotating fully clockwise doesnt work, try fully counter clockwise. The units should ALL act the same way shouldnt they? I hook everything up as instructed trailer is disconnected and I plug in the remote and rotate the knob full clockwise. All I get is n.c however, I depress the manual override and boost buttons. The handheld does the countdown and i end up with P.A. the two .inch alternate on and off. I release the two buttons and press the brake pedal. I hold it a VERY long time and the remote display just stays the same with P.A. eventually the remote goes to n.c and this is the end. I cant get the thing to do anything else.

asked by: Robert W

Expert Reply:

The Prodigy RF is a great controller but it can be frustrating on German vehicles, which is oddly enough the type of vehicle it's most likely used on since they are hard to wire brake controllers to. In most cases if you get to where you are at and just keep following the next step you can get the unit to pair.

There are a few things you can try to get the unit to pair.

First, If you do not see displayed what the instructions say just keep going through the steps. Sometimes, it will not display what it is supposed to but it will still work if you go through the steps to completion.

If that does not work then you can try taping off the pin in the 5 oclock position at the back of the RF (where the trailer plugs into) using electrical tape. Then go through the installation process.

If that doesn't work you may need a 7-Way to 7-Way adapter, # 20142, which will put more load on the system and could allow the RF to pair up properly.

And if all of the above will not work then have a domestic vehicle with a functioning 7-Way parked right next to your vehicle and pair the RF using that vehicle. Then just move the handheld unit to your vehicle and tow the trailer with it and it will work.

expert reply by: Jameson C