Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes Locked Up When Connected to Jeep 7-Way

Question:

I installed a Prodigy P2 break controller on my 2008 Wrangler about a year ago. It has worked great until yesterday when my trailer brakes locked up when I was driving down the road. When I unplug the trailer from the Jeep, they release, then lock up again when I plug it back in. Any idea what maybe causing this issue?

asked by: Sean F

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have a short circuit in your wiring. I recommend using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to test your pins at your trailer connector first. The trailer brake is on the 5 o'clock pin, so I recommend checking that first to see if you get 12V power constantly. If so, then you are picking up power somewhere, so next I would check the corresponding wire behind the connector to see if you have that power there. If you don't then your 7-way needs replaced with # HM40975 as they can fail. If you have power there, then next I would check about 6 inches behind your brake controller on your dash to see if you have that 12V output there. If so, then you know the controller is sending that power, if not, you will simply want to run a new wire from that point back to your 7-way using # 10-1-1 sold by the foot.

If you have power at the controller, then next test the red wire to see if you are getting power from the cold side of the switch. If so, then your switch has gone bad and needs replaced. If not, then your controller has gone bad an will need replaced.

expert reply by: Jason S