Brake Controller Sends Power While Driving with No Trailer Connected

Question:

I purchased the tekonsha p3 a few months back. It worked flawlessly in my 05 Silverado. I trade the truck in and now have a 02 2500hd duramaxx. When I get in it says trailer not corrected in red as it should since there is no trailer hooked up but after Im driving the screen turns green and shows that it is sending power to the trailer in low amounts I let off the gas same thing, i hit the brakes and the output power goes up. Is something wrong or is the unit just doing whatever it wants since there is no trailer hooked up?

asked by: Robert

Expert Reply:

There are a few things that could cause the issue you are describing. The first of which would be corrosion on the vehicle side trailer connector as this could cause power to jump circuits and trick the brake controller into thinking that there is a trailer connected. I would first make sure none of the pins are bent and then spray them down with some electrical contact cleaner being sure to place some dielectric grease part # 11755 on them after the fact.

The next potential cause could be that the blue brake output wire is shorting out and is also tricking the brake controller into thinking that there is a trailer connected. In order check this you will want to trace the blue wire from the 7-way to the brake controller or replace the wire altogether with part # 10-1-1.

There could also be an issue with the connection of the red stop light switch wire or the white ground wire. I would check both of these connections and if worse comes to worse, the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller part # 90195 has a lifetime warranty and if you were the original purchaser, you should be able to be replace it without issue if it is indeed the controller that is at fault.

expert reply by: Conner L