Troubleshooting Brake Controller With Only 3.6 Volts On Brake Output Pin

Published 08/03/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2763)

$159.00

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.84

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(60)

$12.27

Question:

have replaced brake controller and 7-pin connector and still only getting 3.6 volts on controller and at trailer brake pin on 7-pin with gain maxed on controller. black wire into controller indicates 12v and red wire into controller indicates 12 when brake pedal is depressed. any solution? thank you very much....need my trailer brakes working!! tekonsha prodigy P2 brake controller

asked by: Richard

Expert Reply:

You have already done much of the troubleshooting. Because you have correct power into the Prodigy P2 # 90885 brake controller, you next will check the power coming out of the controller. To do this, you will cut the blue wire on your controller about 6 inches back from the unit and then test that wire using the manual override on your controller. If you have the correct power at that point, then you will simply run a new wire # 10-1-1 from the blue wire on your controller to the 5 o'clock pin on your trailer connector. I've attached a couple articles to assist. Make sure your ground connection on your trailer connector is bare metal to metal and free of rust or debris.

If the power at the blue wire is not 12V when you test it using a multimeter like # PT89ZR or a circuit tester like # PTW2993 while sliding the manual override on your controller, then you will need to check your ground connection on your controller to make sure it is bare metal to metal. If the ground connection is solid then your brake controller needs to be replaced.

You need to use the manual override to test your controller, because just the brake pedal will not send an output signal to your 7-way because you are not moving and it is a proportional controller.

expert reply by: Jason S