No Numbers Display on Prodigy Brake Controller when Setting Up the Controller

Published 12/12/2014

Question:

I have tried to set up as per instructions by moving manual button to left winding power wheel to achieve 6 but nothing happens no numbers come up at all

asked by: Chris R

Expert Reply:

It sounds like there could be a problem with the brake controller or the connections going to it. The first thing you will want to check is to make sure the controller is getting power. Use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the black wire going into the controller. If it does not have 12-volt power, then that would be the problem.

There are different things that can occur that would make this happen. If you happen to have a Chevy/GMC truck or SUV then it is likely that you will need to make some connections under the hood to finalize the installation. I would need to know the year, make, and model of the vehicle to determine if this, or something similar, is the root cause of the problem.

There are things you can do to determine where the problem is. In the vehicle cab you will need to sever the blue wire several inches from the back of the controller. Then use the tester to test the end of the blue wire coming out of the controller. It should only have power when you apply the manual override. If it shows power at idle then there is something wrong with the controller and it will need to be replaced.

If it tests fine then reconnect the blue wire. Make sure that the controller is mounted within the range specified in the instructions and not tilted or turned to the side. Then move on to the truck side trailer connector. Many times, dirt or corrosion can cause a short in a trailer connector. Make sure the truck and the trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out.

You can test the brake output pin and it should only show power with the manual override. If it shows power any other time then there is a short somewhere between the connector and the brake controller you will need to track down.

If the truck side checks out fine then it could be the wiring to the brake magnets or the magnets themselves. Inspect the power wires to the magnets and look for pinched, frayed, or damaged wires and fix as needed. Make sure the ground wires are attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

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