Why Does Prodigy P3 Brake Controller Stay On All the Time

Published 10/12/2016

Question:

Just had a Tekonsha Prodigy P3 installed. Got it calibrated for my trailer without probem, but the power is always on, even with the vehicle ignition switch off. Is this normal, or is it miswired? Is there an off switch on the controller? I guess I can unplug it when not needed but this seems like a hassle. Thank you

asked by: Chris M

Helpful Expert Reply:

The P3 brake controller, # 90195, will go into a sort of sleep mode after it detects no movement for 15 minutes. While it is on it does not draw very much power. What you can do to make sure it goes to sleep is exit the truck after turning it off, walk away for 15 minutes or so, then come back and peek in through the window to see if it has turned off. Of course you could always unplug the controller if you wanted, but doing so would cause you to lose all of your controller presets.

Even if the display stayed lit up it would take an incredibly long time for it to drain a truck battery.

expert reply by: Jameson C