Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Controller that Shows Trailer Connection When Not Connected to Trailer

Question:

I need some tech support with my brake controller Prodigy P3. I have a 2008 Chevrolet Z71 Silverado. Ive had a Tekonsha P3 controller for several years but recently noticed that my trailer brakes were humming even when trailer was at a stand still and that the controller was randomly reading numbers when traveling down the highway when no trailer was attached. Again, these numbers had no bearing on whether I was accelerating or decelerating and controller was thinking a trailer was attached when there was nothing back there. I started to trouble shoot this by re-wiring all controller connections and checking my ground at trailer. This had no change on the problems. I then decided to buy another P3 controller see order number above. Unfortunately, Im still having the same problems. Do you guys have any thoughts on where I can begin to figure this out??? Thanks in advance for your help,

asked by: Kevin W

Expert Reply:

Generally speaking, when a brake controller thinks thats a trailer is connected when there isn't one the problem usually lies within the trailer connector. In order to check this you will want take a bit of electrical spray and clean off the pin inside the connector. You may also want to check the rear of the connector for loose or touching wires. Give the wires at the rear of the trailer connector a good wiggle to ensure the connection is secure. You may also want to trace the wires from the connector back a few feet while checking for frays. Once you have done this you can use a bit of dielectric grease like part # 11755 inside the trailer connectors pins to prevent further problems. This should fix your problem but if it does not please let me know and I would be glad to look into this further for you.

expert reply by: Conner L