Troubleshooting Short Code and Clicking Sound with Prodigy P2 When Manual Override Level is Used

Updated 04/25/2016 | Published 04/21/2016

Question:

I read you previous response regarding the Tekonsha P2 Brake Controller making a clicking sound when the manual when using the manual lever. Im having the same issue, but it also displays a SH code. This happens when I am initially setting the controller. If I have my foot on the trucks brake pedal when doing this there is no clicking and no SH code. After I release the manual lever the SH code goes away and everything appears to be working.

asked by: Michael S

Expert Reply:

The issue you are having with your Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller is caused by a short on the trailer brake wiring. A short can be caused when raw wire touches another wire or a metal surface. It can also happen if there is corrosion on the trailer connector's pin or at the connection inside the connector. The SH code on the brake controller tells us that the controller is detecting a short.

The clicking sound coming from the controller is the brake controller shutting itself off. I spoke with my contact at Tekonsha and he confirmed that when the controller detects a short, it will shut itself off and that is causing the clicking you are hearing.

This only happens when the manual override is used because it sends the strongest brake signal back, while the brake pedal sends a proportional brake signal. When you are stopped the brake pedal sends very little power and the manual lever will still send full power to the brakes.

If this issue only happens when the trailer is connected, the short is somewhere on the trailer's brake signal wiring. You will want to check for any tears, pinches, or other damage to the wires going to the trailer's brakes. You can also check for corrosion on the brake signal pin and wiring connection at the trailer connector. Any damaged wiring needs to be replaced. Corrosion on a connector can sometimes be cleaned off, but sometimes a new connector is needed.

If the issue is happening when the trailer is not connected, then we know the short is on the brake signal wire on the truck. You will want to check the blue wire behind the brake controller and where you can find it underneath the truck back to the vehicle-end trailer connector for damage and corrosion.

If you cannot find any damage or corrosion that is causing the short, there is an easy way to test the brake controller to ensure it is functioning properly. First, you can sever the blue wire at least 6 inches back from the brake controller. Then use the Prodigy P2's manual override as you had before. There should be no code shown or clicking coming from the controller, since any outside short possibility has been cut off. If there is a code or you still hear the clicking sound, then there is something wrong inside the brake controller and it will need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Victoria B