Flashing Vehicle/Trailer Brake Lights After Installing Tekonsha Primus IQ Brake Controller # TK90160

Question

Question:

After Quite a simple installation of my Primus IQ Electric brake control I have found it constantly flashes and the rear window and trailer brake lights flash. This stops after the recommended inactive time, and starts again as soon as I use the car again. Could this be a incorrect connection to the brake switch next to the brake pedal

asked by: Peter

0

Expert Reply:

Some vehicles have a quick-connect port under the dash to allow direct plug-in installation of a brake controller, but it sounds as though you did a hardwired installation of your Primus IQ brake controller # TK90160 which would require you to access the brake light switch above the brake pedal.

When hard wiring a brake controller it is critical that the signal input to the controller (carried by the red wire) be connected to the cold side of the brake light switch. This is the side of the switch that carries voltage only when the pedal is pressed. A circuit tester such as # PTW2993 can help you identify the correct wire; you want the wire that carries a signal only when the brake is pressed, and this connects to the red input wire on the Primus.

You can also check that your white ground wire is solidly affixed to a clean bare metal surface on the vehicle, or to an existing grounding point. You can also connect the ground wire directly to your tow vehicle battery negative terminal if this is the best option.

A number of different fault conditions can cause the Primus display to flash. These include among other potential causes a loss of ground, an overload condition on the trailer or a short in the brake circuit wiring.
The installation instructions, which are attached for your reference, indicate the various causes for a flashing display. If you wish to let me know specifics about your vehicle (year/make/model/version) and exactly what the display shows I can try to further assist.

In the meantime, I have attached an article on trailer brake controller troubleshooting that might be helpful to you.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

There currently are no slide on towing mirrors for the 2021 Kia Telluride available on the market so I recommend using the CIPA Universal Towing Mirrors - Clip On - Qty 2 #7070-2 instead. These mirrors clip on to the outer rim of the mirror and use…

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Answer 2

A circuit tester like #PTW2993 on the 5 o'clock pin should only light up when you use the manual override function on a brake controller. This is what the blue wire from a brake controller connects to and it is the output wire. You need to have…

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Answer 3

It sounds like it's possible that the brake light wire from your 3rd brake light might be coming into contact with the electric brake wire on the trailer. The brake controller on your truck will send an intermentent, extremely small amount of…

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 6

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 7

I do have a solution for your 2024 Kia Telluride that has the LED taillights that does allow it to have both a 4-way and 7-way plus install a brake controller but it is not with the #TK74CR which does not work for you based on the LED taillights.…

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Answer 8

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

If you have a vehicle specific wiring harness for a brake controller then that would indicate that you have a factory tow package and subsequently would already have a 7-way at the back of your vehicle. The universal 7-way connector #ETBC7 is meant…

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Answer 12

Since your 2024 Telluride X-Line is not an LS or S model the correct wiring harness is the Curt #C29ZV. This will plug into the connection points in the rear cargo area and provide you with a 4-way to power your trailer's signal lights. The…

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