Troubleshooting Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller Only Operating From Manual Switch

Question:

Why do my trailer brakes not work anymore unless I use the manual override on the brake controller?? I have a 2003 Dodge 2500 Cummins and I had no issues until recently so I figured the old tekonsha brake controller had went bad so I went out and bought a prodigy2 and installed it and the trailer brakes still wont work unless I use the slider on the controller so I traced all the wires from the brake controller through the harness and it came back to the brake light switch so I replaced that thinking that the brake light switch was bad for my brake pedal and still no luck Im at my Wits end please help

asked by: James S

Expert Reply:

You are definitely on the right track for what you should be checking on your 2003 Dodge Ram 2500. As you have already changed out your Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller # 90885 and the brake switch on your Ram the next thing to check is the power for the brake switch.

You will need a Test Light # PTW2993 to check the wiring to ensure that you are getting power to the correct circuits. We know that the black power wire on either the hardwire pigtail or Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter # 3020-P is getting power and that the white wire ground connection is working properly. As well as the blue wire output to the trailer brakes themselves. We need to determine if the red wire is getting power anywhere along the circuit from the brake switch. You will need to use the Test Light to probe along the red wire in the harness following it as much as possible to determine if there is a break in the wire that is causing your issue.

If you find a break in the wire it can be repaired or replaced. If you do not have power at the switch there is likely an issue with the power going into the brake switch for the brake controller. Depending on your abilities and comfort level you may need to seek the services of a repair facility if you can not trace the wiring to determine why you no longer have power at the brake switch.

expert reply by: Bud M