Display Won't Turn Off on the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller

Updated 05/10/2025 | Published 11/13/2018

Question:

Just installed the controller and when the key is turned off the display stays on. Does it stay on for awhile after the truck is turned off?

asked by: George

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller part # 90195 will go into a sleep mode after 15 minutes of inactivity. Therefore, with the vehicle shut off and the key out of the ignition it will still stay on till the 15 minute window is reached. Please keep in mind that opening the door will likely wake the controller back up so if you wanted to check that it was truly in sleep mode you would be best to just peek through the window.

expert reply by: Conner L

Alexander

1/12/2021

My tekonsha I just installed will not turn off, it shows no trailer and I expect it to do the sleep mode when the vehicle is off but for some reason when the truck is off the device suddenly thinks I have a trailer behind it, once I turn the truck on it shows there’s no trailer again, is there a remedy to this or do I need to constantly unplug it, why not include a turn off switch?

Jon G.

1/15/2021

It's standard for a Tekonsha brake controller (and most other brake controllers for that matter) to have that sleep mode which sets in about 15 minutes after the car has stopped moving. If your controller is saying that a trailer is connected once the vehicle is off then that could be some bad wiring somewhere. You will want to check all of the wires going into the brake controller and make sure that they are connected to the following functions: Blue - 7-Way Output to Trailer Black - 12V Power White - Ground Red - COLD Side of Stop Light Switch (only gets hot when brake pedal is pressed)

Robert M.

5/9/2025

@JonG I have a P3 in my 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. I've been using it for a year+, no issues. Lately it shows no trailer connected, screen display red, never, I mean never shuts off now. I've checked the next morning, still on. Wiring is all correct.I've peeked through the window after an hour, 2hrs, etc, display is still on. I had a tech, very savvy with electrical in automotive and marine- continuity with all wires is good all the way back the connector at the hitch. What's up with this thing? Tekonsha must have 1 tech in their Technical Support Dept for the entire world, I've been on hold for 43 minutes Please help, Thanks

Jon G.

5/9/2025

@RobertM Thank you for all of the insight! The only things I can think that you have left are a bad ground (if your tech friend was only looking at the powered wires), and that the unit itself is bad and needs to be replaced. If you or another friend happen to have a second Tekonsha brake controller, then you'd be able to unplug your P3 and plug that other one in to see if you get the same results or not and be able to completely verify whether the issue is with the controller internally or somewhere on your wiring.