Troubleshooting a Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller

Question:

I am installing a Tekonsha voyager brake controller on my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee without factory tow package. I believe I have hooked up everything correctly and I have not plugged a trailer in yet. If I slide the manual brake lever on the controller over, nothing lights up but I get a message on my vehicle saying service electronic stability control. Is this common? Is something hooked up incorrectly?

asked by: Scott M

Expert Reply:

Hey Scott! You're going to need to connect a trailer to your vehicle. You're not going to know what's working correctly or incorrectly on the Tekonsha Voyager item # TK29ER unless you hook a trailer up.

If you run into any problems down the road feel free to comment below or email me directly and I'll be happy to walk through them with you.

expert reply by: Jerred H

Scott M.

11/27/2024

Hi Jerred. So I hooked up the trailer and everything seemed to work but I did have one issue. If I turn the sensitivity nob on the controller, it put the brakes on the trailer. I had to have it set to the lowest position to get the trailer to move. I spliced in to the brake pedal switch on the correct side but it doesn't seem right. Is it possible to run a wire from the brake light or will that not work?

Jerred H.

11/27/2024

@ScottM Yes, that would be one possible solution and one that is often used. If you go back and check your wiring and don't find any connection issues I would look more towards the trailer. This could be a situation where your brakes are overly adjusted too. Did you have any issues with the trailer before you hooked it up to your Jeep?

Scott M.

11/27/2024

@JerredH I just purchased the trailer. It is like new so I don't really think it is an issue with that. Like I said, I got a service stability control message when I used the slider on the controller. I must not be on the correct wire. It seems as if the controller is picking up voltage telling it that the brakes are depressed. If I have the vehicle in park without pushing the brakes and turn up the controller sensitivity, the green light turns red. Also, I can hear the trailer brake solenoid or whatever hum. Seems like it shouldn't do that.