Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller Lights Up with No Trailer Attached Using Brake Pedal

Question:

I have a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller that I bought from eTrailer and installed a few years ago on a 2001 Ford Super Duty. I only drive the truck occasionally and it still has only 54K original miles on it and is in like-new condition. From the start, when I had no trailer connected, there were no lights on unless I physically moved the lever on the brake controller. But the other day, I noticed the lights came on when I pressed the brake on the truck. I also noticed that I have no cruise control. I had replaced the brake pressure switch with the new recall device previously and there are no leaks anywhere in that area. I havent done any modifications to anything else or had any issues, and not sure why the brake controller has changed from what it usually does. Any thoughts on what might be the issue? The truck brakes normally and I dont sense any issues with anything else. It does have ABS, so Im not sure if that system can cause any issues. Those sensors do go out. Thanks for any help before I start to dig in.

asked by: Pat

Expert Reply:

In regards to the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller part # 90885 which has a diagnostic check system integrated into the unit, if there are any issues you will see an error code on the display which you can then match up with the troubleshooting chart in the owner's manual. If you ever have any odd issues not spelled out by an error code the best thing to do is remove power from the unit for a few minutes to clear and reset.

If you see activation with the brake pedal that means the unit thinks there is a trailer attached which is done by reading resistance on the brake output (blue) wire so that is where I would check for this issue. It runs from the controller to the connector.

expert reply by: Conner L