Wiring Configuration for Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller 90195

Question

Question:

Hello, I have a question about the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Electronic Brake Controller. I wanted to confirm that the expected definitions are as follows: 12V Power: 12VDC input Stop light: Signal indicating braking. It is either 0V or 12V. Its an input Ground: Chassis Ground Trailer Brakes: The output voltage signal that is proportional to how hard the brakes is applied. This is the signal we would feed to the trailer to control the brake pump.

asked by: Quincy H

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Prodigy P3 trailer brake controller uses a 4-wire hookup. The white wire is to be grounded to the battery negative terminal; the black power wire connects to the battery hot terminal through a circuit breaker; the red wire takes in the brake light signal from the cold side of the brake light switch and is used to trigger the P3 to send out a brake signal on the blue wire.

The red wire will carry an on-or-off signal; the actual degree of braking power sent to the trailer connector on the blue output wire depends on the power setting and the degree of deceleration in the tow vehicle. Proportional brake controllers like the Prodigy P3 generate their output signal in proportion to the rate the tow vehicle slows down, which keep the vehicle and trailer more in sync with each other for less of the tug-of-war feeling between truck and trailer.

To use the P3 with an electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) brake actuator on the trailer be sure to select EOH mode from the menu screen.

expert reply by: Adam R

1

Robert

6/3/2020

P3 comes with harness or bare device?

Reply

Chris R.

6/7/2020

The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller # 90195 includes a wiring pigtail for hookup. If you can tell me what model vehicle you have I can see if there's a plug-in harness available to allow for an easier installation.

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Robert

6/7/2020

@ChrisR ‘15 Volkswagen Golf hatch

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Chris R.

6/10/2020

@Robert Thanks for the info. Your VW Golf doesn't come equipped with a factory plug-in port for a brake controller so it'll need to be hardwired. If you don't yet have a 7-Way connector at the rear bumper you'll need to add that as well. You will start by installing a 4-Way Harness # 118646 (if not already present) and from there upgrade it to the needed 7-Way with the Wiring Kit # ETBC7.

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Robrt

6/27/2020

DoEs a 2016 Hilux have a plug in port for a Tekonsha P3?

Reply

Chris R.

7/1/2020

Since the Hilux isn't available in the US we unfortunately don't have any info on this, nor have the plug-in harnesses we have available been tested with this truck. I recommend checking with a local dealer to see if they have any resources for this.

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Pat

3/13/2025

So the red wire from the brake switch should be ZERO volts when the brake pedal is NOT pressed and 12V when the brake is pressed? If so, my 1977 Chevy is backasswards. The red wire always has 12V until you press the brake pedal, then it's 0.0V...

Reply

Jon G.

3/13/2025

@Pat Definitely not what you want to be seeing haha. You'll want to double check the wire it's connected to and find the correct one that gives the function that's required.

Reply

Jon

3/13/2025

@JonG I have double-checked the wiring and my brake lights work properly for years now... My brake light switch only has two wires; one is a constant 12V and the other side/pin of the brake switch is connected to the red wire of the controller. I'd just like to confirm that the red wire to the brake controller should be at 0V without the brake pedal pressed and 12V when the brake pedal is pressed. Thank you!

Reply

Jon G.

3/13/2025

@Jon That would be correct, yes.

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See All (5) Replies to Pat ∨

Answer 1

That is the only way you'd be able to install the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller #90195 on your 2023 Ford Transit T350 since there is no custom fit wiring harness. To install this, you'll first need to find the cold side of the…

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Answer 2

To install a 7-Way harness on your 2023 Subaru Ascent, without the towing package, you will need two separate wiring harnesses because they don't make just one that'll do the job. The first harness you'll need is the Curt T-Connector…

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

There is no brake output circuit on a 4-Way to activate electric trailer brakes so you would have to install a 7-Way on the tow vehicle. To do this I recommend #ETBC7. With it you will plug in the 4-Way to get the lighting functions for the trailer…

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

Basically all of the instructions for trailer wiring like the Tekonsha #118290 for your 2020 Subaru Ascent are kind of vague when it comes to routing the power wire to the battery which is why we came up with a helpful article on this (see attached).…

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Answer 7

Take a look at the diagram I provided, which shows the bolt sizes included with the hitch. Four 1/2-13 X 1-3/4 carriage bolts are included, and the other two bolts that are used are preexisting on the vehicle- they're used to hold the bumper…

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Answer 8

I am not entirely sure what process you took so I'll give you some other things to try, or maybe a different way to test the Prodigy P3 #90195. First, sever the blue wire a couple inches from the back of your controller. Then use a circuit tester…

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

Hey Frank, on the etrailer box part #e64VV all of the walls are welded. The thickness of the steel is 13 gauge. What will you put in the box?

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Answer 12

If your truck has a hitch, tow button and a trailer connector I would expect that it DOES have the tow package. In this case you would use part #3031-P to connect the Prodigy to the truck's under-dash port. Please see the linked video showing the…

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Wiring Configuration for Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller 90195

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