Troubleshooting PL Code on Prodigy P2 Brake Controller Where Brakes Lock Up When Touched

Question:

I just installed a prodigy p2 on my truck per the instructions. I brought our brand new camper home this afternoon and made it most of the half hour drive with no issues. But when pulling into the drive I got the PL code. The weird part was however that even with the code on the screen if I even just tapped my brake the trailer brakes would lock up. Had to unhook controller to get in. Hooked it all back up hour later and all was fine. Just didn’t drive anywhere.

asked by: Brandon

Expert Reply:

The flashing PL code on a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 # 90885 indicates a power interruption while the brake pedal is depressed. This basically means that when you apply the brakes in your vehicle, the voltage for some reason is not getting back to the trailer brakes. Since you are also having the brakes totally lock up when the brake pedal is attached that to me seems like a short between a stop/turn circuit to the brake output as this is the common cause for what you described.

Since the problem went away that would most likely indicate it's two exposed wires intermittently touching each. You'd want to check the connections made to install the brake controller as it's very possible the red wire is shorting to the blue wire there and then also go back to the trailer wiring connectors and look for exposed wire and corrosion here and fix as needed.

expert reply by: Jameson C