Prodigy Brake Controller Draining Truck Battery Overnight

Question

Question:

My prodigy brake controller has recently started running the battery down overnight, even without a trailer. The leds never go off. If I disconnect the 12 volt feed I see a pretty significant spark. Otherwise it works ok.

asked by: Robert J

0

Expert Reply:

Which Prodigy do you have, the original or the P2?

My contact at Tekonsha tells me that if the power to controller is interrupted and re-established in rapid succession, like when you are replacing your battery, the processor of the original Prodigy can be confused which would cause the display to behave erratically or to remain on instead of going into sleep mode and shutting down like normal. Unplugging the controller for several minutes and plugging it back in should allow the processor to reset.

Even if this is the case, the LEDs of the controller should not draw enough power to drain the battery overnight.

Assuming that the battery is in good shape and the alternator is operating properly, the most likely cause is an internal short to ground in the brake controller, which would explain the spark seen when you unplugged.

If leaving the controller unplugged overnight solves the problem, it would confirm that the controller is faulty and should be replaced.

expert reply by: Mike L

0

Answer 1

The Prodigy P3 Brake Controller part #90195 that you referenced will eventually go into sleep mode if it is left undisturbed for several minutes. You should note though that the display of the controller would take an incredibly long time to drain a…

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Answer 2

It sounds like there is a short somewhere in the system that is drawing power and draining the battery. The brake controller you have should only draw a few milliamps of power when not in use. The most likely shorts are a short to ground and a short…

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Answer 3

The electric brake control harness on your 2011 Toyota Tacoma will be located underneath the drivers side dash to the left of the steering column. It should be taped to another harness near the emergency brake pedal. It will be a 5-pin connector. I…

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Answer 4

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,…

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Answer 5

Brake controllers like the Prodigy P2 #90885 will have a slight draw on the vehicle battery when the vehicle is off. The two dots you are referring to will stay on for up to 15 minutes and then the controller will go into sleep mode and the dots will…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 8

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 9

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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Answer 10

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 11

To install a Redarc Tow Pro Liberty in your 2023 Toyota Tacoma Sport you will need the following parts: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller item #RED24FR Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness for Redarc Tow-Pro Trailer Brake Controllers item #RED99FR…

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Answer 12

Hey Donny! For your Dometic Penguin/Brisk Air 15,000 BTU AC model B59516.711C0-MX, the correct soft start is the #DMC93JF. This is designed for Dometic Brisk II electronic air conditioner units with in-wall thermostats.

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Prodigy Brake Controller Draining Truck Battery Overnight

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