Troubleshooting Short to Battery Warning on a Dodge Ram with Prodigy P3 Brake Controller  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The short warning on the Prodigy P3 brake controller, item # 90195, is usually an indication that there is a short on the brake output wire. This short can be either on the truck or the trailer. With the factory wiring on your Dodge it is unlikely that the brake controller wiring is shorted. The most likely possibility is that you have the trailer connected and there is a problem with the trailer brake magnets or wiring. Unhook the trailer from the truck and the short warning should go away.

To repair the trailer you will need to check the inside of the trailer connector for corrosion, all of the wiring to the brake magnets and the brake magnets themselves for wear or damage. If the brake magnets are showing irregular wear or the windings in the magnets are exposed they will need to be replaced.

If unhooking the trailer from the truck does not turn the warning off then there is a problem on the truck and you will need to check the trailer connector for moisture, corrosion. If the connector is not the problem then the wiring will need to be tested to find the shorted area.

At this point I would also test the brake controller for proper function. Use a circuit tester, item # PTW2993 if needed, and test the power wire, black, into the brake controller for 12-volt power. Next, test the brake circuit, red, wire into the brake controller. You should get power only when the brake pedal is applied. Finally, check the output wire, blue, from the brake controller. You should get power when the brake pedal is pressed and when the manual lever on the controller is activated.

expert reply by: Robert G

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