Why Would Brake Controller Cause Vehicle Brake Lights to Periodically Come On

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Question:

Thank you for your reply. My electric trailer brake system works good when hooked up. Would it be possible to cut a hot supply wire to the system and install a plug connector to be able to reconnect when needed but to avoid random tail lights from coming on when not in use? If so, is the hot wire always a specific color?

asked by: Glen J

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

That has to be a brake controller issue. Sounds like the controller is backfeeding the stoplight circuit it taps into as a signal wire with voltage which is then activating your brake lights. When this happens the brake controller is in need of being replaced.

For a brake controller replacement I would recommend the Prodigy P3 Brake Controller part # 90195. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup. This is a proportional brake controller that senses the amount of braking the tow vehicle is applying and applies a proportionate amount to the trailer brakes. This will be the last brake controller you buy. It can easily be transferred to future vehicles as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

Glen J.

12/5/2017

Thank you for your reply. My electric trailer brake system works good when hooked up. Would it be possible to cut a hot supply wire to the system and install a plug connector to be able to reconnect when needed but to avoid random tail lights from coming on when not in use? If so, is the hot wire always a specific color?

Reply

Jameson C.

12/5/2017

I think I have an easier solution for what you are trying to do. If you used the diode part # RM-690 it would only allow voltage to travel in one direction on the stoplight circuit. So if you wire the IN side of the diode to the vehicle wiring side and then the OUT side to the brake controller the controller would be able to see voltage when needed and then wouldn't be able to apply voltage to the vehicle's wiring.

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Answer 1

The 205/65-10 and the 20.5 x 8-10 would be very close in size. Assuming that 20.5 is the diameter of the tire and 8 is the width. The Kenda 205/65-10 Bias Trailer Tire with 10 inch White Wheel, #AM3H390, for example, is 8.3 inches wide with a…

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Answer 2

A larger trailer tire basically wins in every category like you mentioned. Less rolling resistance, less affected by bumps in road for smoother ride quality, and bearings/hub spins less so in theory less wear and tear. So as long as you have room for…

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Answer 3

First thing to check is to see if your truck's third brake light is still working when you hit the brakes. When the fuse for that circuit goes on GM trucks like your 2014 model it will prevent the brake controller from activating when the brakes…

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Answer 4

It sounds like the unit was wired incorrectly. The white wire is a ground wire and should be connected to a suitable ground connection on the vehicle. The blue wire is the output wire that sends power to the trailer brakes when they need to be…

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Answer 5

Yes, the brake lights on your 2009 Kia Sorento should illuminate when the manual override on the Hopkins Agility Trailer Brake Controller is engaged. It sounds like you have everything installed correctly so I would not be worried at all. If you…

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Answer 6

The "E.r" error code you have on the brake controller means it is inoperative so it must be replaced as they are not serviceable. This is outlined in the troubleshooting chart section of the owner's manual. I am not really sure of the…

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Answer 7

Your brake lights and turn signals for each side are on one circuit. The left side turn signal and brake light is generally the yellow wire going into your trailer connector. The first thing to do is check the fuses on your tow vehicle. Next, inspect…

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Answer 8

You are correct, you should only be getting output when the brake is applied, or the override switch is activated. It sounds like the controller might be bad, but to make sure, you should probably bench test it before tossing it. Use a circuit…

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Answer 9

If your Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller #90195 is not powering on, I recommend checking again for any damaged/blown fuses or relays under the hood of your truck. Check specifically for the brake controller fuse, which should be a 30 amp…

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Answer 10

Either way is correct. It depends on if you want to keep the semi-style 7-Way (if you need to tow that type of trailer) or if you will never be towing a semi-trailer. If you need to keep the 7-Way semi active on the truck, then you would need to make…

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Answer 11

It depends on what trailer you'd consider to be "most" trailers, but with a Tesla you're going to be pretty limited so I'll assume it's nothing with brakes. So with that being said, we have the ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle…

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Answer 12

Your 2023 Chevy Suburban RST does come with the factory tow package so there would be a harness under the d ash near the emergency brake pedal that the part #3016 would plug into. This would allow you to use a brake controller like our very popular…

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Why Would Brake Controller Cause Vehicle Brake Lights to Periodically Come On

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