Troubleshooting a Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller With Trailer Brakes That are not Showing Power

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Question:

I purchased a Tekonsha P3 trailer brake controller from etrailer about two years ago and it has worked perfectly up until now. I tried troubleshooting it and one of your video tutorials leads me to believe that the controller might be dead. The battery and brake light voltage are normal. The brake lights come on with both the pedal and manual override lever, but no voltage goes to the brakes. The brake voltage just reads zero no matter what I do. The 7 pin connector is clean and I added some dielectric grease just in case. The trailer brake wires also have no apparent damage. What do you think the problem is? Is there something else I should try?

asked by: Andrew W

0

Expert Reply:

I am not entirely sure what process you took so I'll give you some other things to try, or maybe a different way to test the Prodigy P3 # 90195. First, sever the blue wire a couple inches from the back of your controller. Then use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the end of the blue wire coming out of the controller. It should only have power when you apply the manual override; if it shows power at idle then there is an issue with the controller, and it will need to be replaced.

You will also want to test the brake output pin on the 7-way socket; it should only show power with the manual override. If it shows power any other time, then there is a short somewhere between the connector and the brake controller you will need to find.

It could also be the brake magnets themselves.You'll want to visually inspect the magnets; if you can see the copper windings coming through the magnets will need to be replaced. To test the magnets you can follow the help article I have linked. I have also attached some help articles on testing and troubleshooting brake controllers for you to check out.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

John M.

6/30/2020

My control will lock up the brakes when jacked up with the manual lever but not when you push the pedal brake but when on the ground the lever don't engage the brake.

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Chris R.

7/6/2020

If you're testing the Prodigy P3 while parked, it won't send much (if any) power back to the trailer brakes when stepping on the brake pedal. This is because it's a proportional controller that sends back power based on deceleration. Have you tried actually taking the trailer out for a test drive to see how the controller performs?

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Walt K.

4/15/2020

Hooked the trailer up, when I stepped on brake the controller did not come on and when I felt the controller it was very warm to the touch. Disconnected controller, and plugged it in the next day and it worked. So does that mean there is nothing wrong with it and why was it very warm to the touch?

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Chris R.

4/16/2020

Since the controller seems to be working properly now, it's hard to decipher what could have been the issue after the initial install and hookup. I know it's kind of a vague answer, but at this point I think it's best to just keep an eye on it to see if any problems pop back up, and go from there. It may have just needed to be reset (which is what unplugging it accomplished). It might be a good idea to take the trailer out to an empty parking lot a couple times just to test everything out - if nothing else to at least set your mind at ease.

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Answer 1

If you sever the blue wire leaving the P3 controller part #90195 leaving enough room to reconnect it and test the end of the wire leaving the controller with a circuit tester like part #PTW2993 you should see voltage when you slide the manual…

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Answer 2

I would start by inspecting the connector on your trailer and the vehicle to make sure there is not corrosion in the connector which could be causing a bad or weak connection. If there is corrosion in the trailer side connector, you would need to…

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Answer 3

It is possible to reset the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 #90195 by unhooking your trailer and unplugging the controller for 15 minutes. If you are 100% sure you are getting power, but the screen does not turn on, in some cases a reset will correct this. We…

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Answer 4

If your Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller #90195 is not powering on, I recommend checking again for any damaged/blown fuses or relays under the hood of your truck. Check specifically for the brake controller fuse, which should be a 30 amp…

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Answer 5

If your trailer has 7 wires running all the way back to the brakes, then yes, you can tap into the existing wiring. Each of your new brakes will have two wires for the brake magnet. One wire is for 12 volt power to the brake magnets and the other…

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Answer 6

You can reset the controller by unplugging it for 15 minutes. However that should not be needed if you just need to adjust the output power. Just use the buttons on the left of the controller to select the output voltage you want. I have included a…

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Answer 7

The wires to install the Prodigy P3 #90195 are indeed already run and under your dash. I have added a link to an installation video showing exactly how to install this brake controller in a 2011 GMC Sierra like yours. On the Prodigy the blue wire is…

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Answer 8

When there is power applied to the P3, #90195, initially, the display will light up. After about 15 minutes of no activity, it will shut off again and go into a sort of sleep mode. Use a circuit tester like #PTW2993 if you do not already have one to…

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Answer 9

For your 2013 Chevy Silverado all you need is the Prodigy P3 part #90195 and you'd be set to install the controller in your 2013 Chevy Silverado because no plug is present under the dash, but the needed wires are already run. You will connect the…

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Answer 10

Brake controllers such as the P3 you referenced #90195 will go into a sleep mode after about 15 minutes of it sensing no movement. If you peek through the window after 15 minutes then it should be in sleep mode. What you are seeing is normal.

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Answer 11

The Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller, item #90195, has built in troubleshooting diagnostics that you can access by pressing the menu button then selecting help and pressing ok. You will then be able to monitor the battery voltage supplied to the unit,…

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Answer 12

The correct lift kit to use on your Forest River R-Pod Trailer will depend on the year. If you have a post 2014 then you will need to use the Axle Riser Kit part #LC382741 for square shaped axles or part #LC270682 for diamond shaped axles as Forest…

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Troubleshooting a Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller With Trailer Brakes That are not Showing Power

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