Trailer Brakes Only Work with Manual Override On a Tekonsha Prodigy P2

Question:

When I use the manual slider I get power to the plug in at back of truck. When I apply brakes I get no power readout from plug. When I use slider I do not get the 1 to 10 readings on the control screen, but I do get gain setting numbers, ie. 6.1, 6.2, etc. When trailer was hooked up. My brakes did not work with brake pedal. Is control broke, likely.

asked by: John K

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller part # 90885 is a proportional brake controller which means it is not going to send very much power to the trailer connector while at a dead stop. However, if you are getting none at all then there might be an issue with the stop light switch connection. This is a red wire that goes from the back of the brake controller to the cold side of the brake pedal. I would check this to make sure it has power going from the pedal to the brake controller when the pedal is depressed. If you do then there could indeed be an issue with the brake controller. This might be a good time to upgrade as well to the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller part # 90195.

Please note that if you have factory trailer brake wiring provisions then there might be a fuse you need to check like on Chevy trucks in which this issues is usually caused by a blown CHMSL fuse.

expert reply by: Conner L