Troubleshooting Prodigy P2 Brake Controller that Applies When Accelerating
Question:
I have a 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab. Im towing my 20ft trailer using a Prodigy trailer brake I got from my father. Heres my problem I read a similar thread on here regarding the same problem: I follow all the instructions on setting the trailer brake. First, I see it says .c. on my display. Then, I move the lever all the way over and set the number to 6.0 as Im holding the lever. Then I release the lever. Next, I go to drive off and it reads 0.0, I get up to 25mph and move the lever over and sure enough it works perfectly. Here is when my issue occurs. Then it seems to not automatically engage when I press on my brake. Instead it seems to start reading increasing numbers engagingly the trailer brake as I accelerate. To get around this Ive had to turn my setting on the trailer brake the little wheel on the left side of the prodigy all the way down when I accelerate and am driving down the road. When I want to use my trailer brake I push the little wheel all the way up and apply my truck brakes and it works fine. Long story short, it applies the trailer brake when I begin to accelarate from a stop and doesnt seem to start showing numbers engaging automatically when I press my truck brakes. Help!
asked by: Harris R
Expert Reply:
So the red wire of the P2 part # 90885 is what tells the controller to activate it's inertia sensor and start looking for deceleration and apply a relative amount of braking. Since your controller is applying trailer brakes when you start accelerating that to me sounds like you have an issue on the red wire. Check to make sure it's connected to a circuit that only sees power when the brakes are applied.
Testing the brake controller is fairly easy. Sever the blue brake output wire near the brake controller leaving enough room to reconnect it and then apply the manual slide. Using a circuit tester like the Quickee Tester, part # PTW2993, you should get output to the controller side of the wire you severed. If the manual slide activates the trailer brake output wire properly, try the brake pedal. If the brake pedal activates the brake output properly also then the problem is farther back either in the vehicle wiring or on the trailer.
If either the brake pedal or the manual slide are not functioning properly you will need to test the wires going into the brake controller. Make sure you have power entering the brake controller on the black wire. On the red wire you will only want power when the brake pedal is pressed.
If there is power on the red wire before the brake pedal is pressed you have connected the red wire from the brake controller to the wrong circuit. You would then need to find the brake switch wire that has power ONLY when the brake pedal is activated.
If these connections check out and the brake controller is properly grounded then there is possibly a problem inside the brake controller.
I am including a link to a video that will show you how to test the wiring on a brake controller.
Products Referenced in This Question
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
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