Troubleshooting the Tekonsha Prodigy RF Trailer Brake Controller Not Pairing with Hand-Held Unit

Question

Question:

I have installed a Prodigy RF on my trailer. It will not pair with the hand held unit. I have 2 vehicles with 7-way connectors. An 2006 Dodge Sprinter, and a 2011 Ford Transit Connect. The Dodge hitch was a dealer installed option, so Im not 100 sure how it is wired, but the number 4 pin battery charge is hot and the number 1 pin is a good ground. I do not know what, if anything, is connected to the brake control pin, and the center aux pin is not hot. All the lights work when the trailer is connected directly. The Ford uses a Curt 4 pin wiring harness and a 4 to 7 pin converter with a hard line from the battery connected to both pin 4 battery charge and pin 7 aux. The blue brake controller line is not connected to anything. The lights on the trailer also work fine when plugged directly into this connector. Following the instructions, with the trailer disconnected from the power module, and the power unit connected to the van, when the hand held unit is pluged in, it just flashes n.c.. Why wont this thing pair? There is an aux power outlet just inside the back door on both vans, so the hand held unit is only a few feet from the power module. It is an aluminum trailer, if that makes any difference. It doesnt look like the unit grounds or anything like that threw the mounting bolts. This thing only needs power on pin 4 and a ground on pin 1 to pair right? At this point in the instructions the trailer is not even connected to the unit so any issues there would not affect pairing. Thanks for any help you can provide.

asked by: Mike M

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your trailer connectors on both vehicles are wired correctly to work with the Prodigy RF, # TK94FR, so it could just be a small step in the pairing details that is causing the problem. First, make sure the trailer is coupled to the towing vehicle. Then plug the RF into the tow vehicle connector making sure the trailers connector is not connected to the RF yet.

Next, start the tow vehicle engine and then plug the hand-held unit into the auxiliary power port. Turn the power knob until the display reads a flashing 0.0. Then, press and hold both the manual override and boost buttons until the display goes from P.5 to P.A. Then release the buttons. Press and hold the brake pedal until the hand-held displays a flashing 0.0. Set the power knob a little higher until the display reads a flashing n.c. Last, connect the trailer connector to the RF and it should then read .c. for connected.

If you have followed these instructions precisely and still have a problem there could be a separate issue that does not allow the unit to be paired with the hand-held control. There could be a short to the brake wire caused by corrosion or a bad brake magnet ground. I have included a link to the installation details for reference.

If you are still having problems let me know and I can help further troubleshoot what the problem may be.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

John P.

8/3/2020

I have a Jeep renegade 2016 limited. When my turn signals or emergency hazard lights are functioning while towing, my prodigy brake controller causes the trailer brakes to skip somehow following the flashes of the turn signal or hazard signals. This braking from the trailer only occurs by itself without applying foot pedal braking from the vehicle. This has been happening since it was installed. I wrote to etrailer and NEVER received a response. Second issue. My prodigy controller will not pair properly to the rf signal box mounted on trailer. All trailer lights work, function normally. But prodigy hand held will not pair. No matter what sequence I follow, I always get NC. Any tips on this??

Reply

Chris R.

8/12/2020

The brakes pulsing with the hazards on is actually normal, since the RF sends back power when both the brake lights are activated at the same time. This doesn't explain while they're pulsing with just the left or right turn signal on, though. I'm thinking adding the Adapter Plug # C57003 may solve both this and the paring issue you're having - as it's designed to maintain proper amperage through the harness.

Reply

Daryl

6/19/2025

I can’t pair my prodigy RF. I had used it last year multiple times once I got a pair of no issues this year first time hooked up and it wasn’t paired. I go through all the steps and I get 0.0 and connection error flashing back-and-forth I don’t get a not connected. Also when I hold manual brake button in the boost, it doesn’t count back from five goes right to PA and I cannot connect. This thing gave me headaches last year too trying to pair and once I paired it I thought it was good for life, but apparently I’m not. Honestly, it’s a piece of junk and if I could return it and get my 400 bucks back I would but I can’t so I’m stuck. Suggestions on what I can do. I have power back there. I’ve tested it with a 12 V. It’s a hot Line back to the seven way so that’s not the issue. And like I said when I try to pair it immediately, I dial the wheel down to 0.0 and it flashes 0.0 in connection error not NC so I don’t know what that means either. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Reply

Nick S.

7/18/2025

@Daryl Typically the 0.0 connection error is an issue between the remote and power module. It sounds like you have checked your power and that is not the issue. Some other possible issues would be corrosion in the 7 way, or possible a short or bad ground connection. There is a chance the unit itself is faulty as well. Tekonsha does have a life time warranty on their items, so you should be able to give them a call and they would replace that for you at no cost.

Reply

Rod

7/6/2025

I did all the steps you said to do and my hand held prodigy still comes up connecting error

Reply

Lazer S.

7/7/2025

@Rod If the above didn't get it paired, odds are you are going to need to contact Tekonsha directly. There may be something internal that isn't working properly. Have you tried completely unhooking everything from power and basically starting as if it was a brand new controller?

Reply

Rod

7/7/2025

@LazerS bad controller

Reply

Lazer S.

7/7/2025

@Rod I was thinking it might be that. Did Tekonsha get you taken care of with a replacement or do you need one still?

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Troubleshooting the Tekonsha Prodigy RF Trailer Brake Controller Not Pairing with Hand-Held Unit

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