Troubleshooting Prodigy RF Brake Controller Installation in 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Question:
When I installed prodIgy unit on my trailer and hooked it to my vechile I had no power to any of the trailer. When I disconnected it and use trailer 7 pin no problem with lights. Vehicle is 2017 mb gle 350 4matic there was also no power to control unit?
asked by: Albert B
Helpful Expert Reply:
The Prodigy RF Wireless Trailer Brake Controller # TK94FR does require that +12V power to operate it be present at the appropriate contact pin on the vehicle's 7-way. This is the pin at the 1:00 position as you look at the socket. Please refer to the arrow in the linked photo.
You'll just need a simple probe circuit tester like # PTW2992, or the special type # C73NR to confirm that +12V power is present on that contact. Ground the tester to the vehicle and apply the probe to the pin at 1:00 while the vehicle is running. If you do not have power, there then you may need to install a missing fuse or relay or have the issue diagnosed by a M-B technician. You can also check the other circuits on the car's 7-way, for the various lighting functions, to confirm they also operate. We also offer a bulb-out sensor bypass # 20142 that helps with some German autos that have bulb sensors that can sometimes be fooled by LED trailer lights.
Once you have confirmed power is reaching the contact on the 7-way you can plug in the RF 7-way cord which should then provide operating power to the unit. You can then test the 7-way socket on the RF control unit to make sure all signals are passing through it to the trailer's plug.
Please refer to the linked image showing the preferred and alternate mounting positions for the trailer-mounted control unit. Even if the unit is getting power from the vehicle, it will not generate brake force unless it is mounted in the forward-facing orientation.
The other potential cause is that your trailer-mounted unit is not paired to the hand-held display controller component. On some European cars this process gets a little bit trickier. In a separate email I sent you the pairing guide.
Products Referenced in This Question
Trailer Connector Adapter w/ Lamp-Out Sensor Bypass - 7-Way RV to 7-Way RV - Vehicle End
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Single-Function Adapter
- 7 Round - Blade
- Plug Only
- 7 Round - Blade
- Tow Ready
more information >
Curt 7-Way to RV Socket LED Circuit Tester - Vehicle End
- Electrical Tools
- Testers
- Circuit Tester
- Tow Function Tester
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Brake Controller - Trailer Mount w Remote - 1 to 3 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Automatic Leveling
- Remote Control
- Trailer Mount
- Digital Display
- Tekonsha
more information >
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