Can Jumper Wires from Vehicle Battery be Used to Test Tekonsha Primus Brake Controller

Question:

I installed the installer last fall. No problems until today. Not towing. Just coming home from the store and I notice the unit not on small red dot stop truck turned off. Turned back on to see if it turns on with its N.C. But nothing. I checked all the connections, except the connection to the brake peddle. Hard to tell due to the connector. I check both of the under hood fuses with a multimeter set to 12vots, had current on all post. Is it possible the unit is bad! How do I check the unit? I would like to check the plug that plugs in to the unit, which holes should I use the multimeter on? I tested the black and red power wires at the plug that plugs in to the unit. I used a multimeter set to 12volts. The black has power the red has power when the brake is pressed. I placed the red prob into the plug for each wire doing each test. I placed the black wire on a metal surface for ground. I checked the ground connection at the battery which looks good. Am I missing anything to check? I feel that it may just be the unit. How can I test the unit? Can I use jumper wires from a 12volt batter to power the unit? Thanks

asked by: Marcus T

Expert Reply:

Sounds like you basically tested everything but the ground wire for your Tekonsha Primus IQ part # TK90160 but it is very possible the controller is bad. Test the controller with jumper cables from the positive and negative of a battery like you mentioned. If the controller still does not power on it's bad. If it does power on then the wiring is bad.

For a brake controller replacement I would recommend the Prodigy P3 Brake Controller part # 90195. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup. This is a proportional brake controller that senses the amount of braking the tow vehicle is applying and applies a proportionate amount to the trailer brakes. This will be the last brake controller you buy as it is incredibly reliable, works, well and is easy to use. It can easily be transferred to future vehicles as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C