My New Brake Controller Prodigy P2 Says n.c. Trailer Brakes are Not Connected  

Question:

Expert Reply:

That certainly sounds odd. Here is what I would try:

First, unplug the brake controller for 5 minutes and plug it back in. This will perform a hard reset on the controller which is sometimes necessary after a new installation.

If that doesn't work, grab a circuit tester with an incandescent bulb, like part # PTW2993, and test the 5 o'clock pin on the 7-pin trailer connector on your 4Runner. This is the pin for the brake controller. The load from the circuit tester will trick the brake controller into thinking a trailer is connected. Also, apply the manual override on the brake controller to make sure it is sending back 12 volts of power.

If the brake controller does not show that it is connected or sends back power, then there is an issue with the brake controller wire somewhere on the 4Runner.

If this is the situation, move into the cab and cut the blue wire coming out of the back of the brake controller about 6 inches out and perform the same test on that wire. If the brake controller still doesn't show that it is connected or sends power, then the brake controller is the problem and it will have to be replaced.

If the brake controller reads connected and sends back the power, then we know that there is a wiring issue somewhere on the trailer. You will want to start at the trailer's plug and look for any corrosion or debris on the pins that could be blocking the connection. if that looks clean, then we will need to trace the wiring from the connector to the trailer brakes looking for any pinched, frayed or damaged sections that could cause a connection issue. I would also inspect the ground wire for each brake assembly and the main trailer ground to make sure they are attached to a clean, bare metal surface on the trailer frame.

If these steps don't solve your problem, let me know what you come up with and we can look into further troubleshooting.

expert reply by: John H

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