Dim Display When Installing Tekonsha Prodigy On 1999 Dodge Van

Published 01/10/2014

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Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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In-Line Circuit Breaker - 20 Amp - Perpendicular Mount Bracket

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Question:

Power is black wire. Trailer brakes is a blue wire. .when connecting black wire a dim red light comes on. When I connect blue wire red light goes out. What is happening?

asked by: Lee

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Tekonsha about your 1999 Dodge van and the Tekonsha Prodigy Brake controller.
They told me that if you are having a problem with a display being dim, you may have an issue with the ground wire connection. You want to make certain you have a good ground connection, or it can cause issues with the display and function of the controller.

When you are hard wiring the controller you can use a circuit tester, part # PTW2993, to test the wires you are connecting to your controller. This would ensure you are attaching the correct wires by function and not by color. If you have not done so already, you will want to make sure you have a 20-amp circuit breaker like part # 9506P, installed on the black wire that leads to the battery from the controller.

If all the wiring has been connected correctly and there is no trailer connected, you should have n.c. displayed. My contact said that if the wiring has been connected correctly, and you are still having the same problem, you can unhook the controller and then reconnect it, which will reset the controller. I have attached a drawing that shows the correct wiring for a brake controller that may help.

I have attached links to a couple of articles on troubleshooting brake controller connections and installation of brake controllers from scratch that may help.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L