Tekonsha Primus IQ Shows Output Driving Down the Road

Question:

Hello I noticed my brake controller active when Im driving with no trailer attached and stays on when key is out of the ignition . Meaning digital numbers on display go up when I press brake pedal. I seem to have a parasitic power drain somewhere causing a dead battery. Could the controller be faulty? Its about 5 years old. Vehicle is a 2007 Suburban. Usually display says N/C when I start it up until lately. Meaning this is new and didnt always do this. Also not sure if related but last time I towed my travel trailer the trailer brakes would seem to stick and stay on when I tried to take off again, like at a stop light. LED numbers would be displayed even with my foot off the brake pedal.

asked by: Brad

Expert Reply:

For starters, the Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller part # TK90160 should shut off after 15 minutes of inactivity. Now, 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 Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller has a lifetime warranty and if you were the original purchaser and have proof of purchase, you should be able to be replace it without issue if it is indeed the controller that is at fault. If you were not the original purchaser or have proof of purchase then now might be a good chance to upgrade to the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller part # 90885.

expert reply by: Conner L