Troubleshooting Prodigy RF Brake Controller Installation in 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Question

Question:

When I installed prodIgy unit on my trailer and hooked it to my vechile I had no power to any of the trailer. When I disconnected it and use trailer 7 pin no problem with lights. Vehicle is 2017 mb gle 350 4matic there was also no power to control unit?

asked by: Albert B

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Prodigy RF Wireless Trailer Brake Controller # TK94FR does require that +12V power to operate it be present at the appropriate contact pin on the vehicle's 7-way. This is the pin at the 1:00 position as you look at the socket. Please refer to the arrow in the linked photo.

You'll just need a simple probe circuit tester like # PTW2992, or the special type # C73NR to confirm that +12V power is present on that contact. Ground the tester to the vehicle and apply the probe to the pin at 1:00 while the vehicle is running. If you do not have power, there then you may need to install a missing fuse or relay or have the issue diagnosed by a M-B technician. You can also check the other circuits on the car's 7-way, for the various lighting functions, to confirm they also operate. We also offer a bulb-out sensor bypass # 20142 that helps with some German autos that have bulb sensors that can sometimes be fooled by LED trailer lights.

Once you have confirmed power is reaching the contact on the 7-way you can plug in the RF 7-way cord which should then provide operating power to the unit. You can then test the 7-way socket on the RF control unit to make sure all signals are passing through it to the trailer's plug.

Please refer to the linked image showing the preferred and alternate mounting positions for the trailer-mounted control unit. Even if the unit is getting power from the vehicle, it will not generate brake force unless it is mounted in the forward-facing orientation.

The other potential cause is that your trailer-mounted unit is not paired to the hand-held display controller component. On some European cars this process gets a little bit trickier. In a separate email I sent you the pairing guide.

expert reply by: Adam R

1

click to enlarge

Answer 1

Thank you so much for your kind words. We strive to give everyone the information they need so they can make the best choices for their vehicles. A factory 7-way (or any 7-way for that matter) does not send braking signals to a trailer's brakes.…

view full answer...

Answer 2

If the jack drew less than 10 amps the Bright Way Push-to-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit with 2-Amp Charger and 10 Ah Battery #3802311 would work decently but typically they draw more than that. A better option would be a deep cycle battery like the part…

view full answer...

Answer 3

It sounds like you are looking for a 7-way adapter with the integrated load resistors. We do have that adapter...it is the Trailer Connector Adapter w/ Lamp-Out Sensor Bypass - 7-Way RV to 7-Way RV - Vehicle End #20142. This works great for trailers…

view full answer...

Answer 4

You should be able to operate your landing gear jacks off of a deep cycle battery on your 5th wheel trailer. You said that you just bought a new deep cycle battery so it makes me wonder if you have completely charged it. If you have been using your…

view full answer...

Answer 5

For your 2016 Toyota Tacoma the RF part #TK94FR can easily be installed. All your truck needs is a functioning 7-way connector and the controller will work just fine. It's one of the easiest to install controllers around so it would be a great…

view full answer...

Answer 6

If the vehicle you are towing with has separate stop and turn signals then it will need to be wired with a Modulite converter so that it can run the lights on the vehicle you are towing that does not have separate turn signals and stop lights. If the…

view full answer...

Answer 7

If you have the proper wiring installed on your 2016 Mercedes Sprinter the Roadmaster Diode kit part #RM-15247 would work great. This kit has been tested as a solution for your 2016 Honda HR-V so it will work great. For wiring on the Sprinter you…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Hey John, for your 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE with factory raised rails you can use the Thule WingBar Evo Crossbars #TH711400 with the Evo Raised Rail Feet for Thule Crossbars #TH710401. These bars measure 53" long, has a max weight capacity of 220…

view full answer...

Answer 9

To install the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 #90195 on your 2002 Chevy Silverado K3500 you need the Wiring Adapter #3025-P which plugs in under your driver-side dash (see attached install video). If you already have the factory plug at the back then you're…

view full answer...

Answer 10

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…

view full answer...

Answer 11

The Pollak circuit tester #PK12741 will tell you which functions are working in a 7-Way trailer connector but it doesn't tell you the location of the functions within the connector. But I can tell you that. If you are looking at the face of a…

view full answer...

Answer 12

The Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Trailer Brake Controller w/ Bluetooth item #TK94FR has to be securely mounted to your trailers coupler with screws. The Prodigy RF connects to your vehicles 7-way so there aren't really any alternatives to…

view full answer...

Troubleshooting Prodigy RF Brake Controller Installation in 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Products Featured in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching