Tekonsha POD Brake Controller 39523 - Does Trailer Need To Be Connected For Light To Turn On?

Question

Question:

Hello I just connected the Reese pod to my 2022 Nissan Frontier and the light on unit did not come does the trailer 7 way need to be connected to truck to activate the light on the unit

asked by: Miguel M

0

Expert Reply:

Hello Miguel, thanks for reaching out. What you are describing sounds normal for the Tekonsha POD Trailer Brake Controller # 39523. The light should only come on when the trailer is plugged in. You should see a green light when you hook up. The light would stay off with the trailer disconnected. This is completely normal and not a cause for concern. You should be able to hit the manual override to test the controller and make sure it is working normally.

expert reply by: Jesse M

0

Tekonsha POD Trailer Brake Controller
(click to enlarge)

Jesse M.

9/8/2025

Hey Miguel, did you get a chance to connect your trailer and see the green light on the brake controller? I'm asking because it could help others who are setting up their controllers too.

Miguel M.

9/8/2025

@JesseM Negative still not working No green light

Jesse M.

9/9/2025

@MiguelM Hmm interesting. Do all of the trailer lights work when you plug your trailer in? I wonder if the controller is not detecting a connection to the trailer?

Miguel M.

12/6/2025

@JesseM finally got it to work the problem was the 7 way connection on my truck the supposedly blue wire is the trailer brake but it wasn’t it was the black wire for trailer brakes not the blue. Everything is now working

See All (4) Replies to Jesse M. ∨

Answer 1

The issue with your running lights is indeed caused by the trailer and the lack of a solid ground. That said, this is an easy fix as all you will need to do is run a ground jumper wire from each running light to the main trailer connector ground and…

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Answer 2

I went out to the warehouse and pulled trailer coupler #CA5400 to measure the latch width and its hole diameter. The latch outside width is just over 7/8 of an inch at 0.88 inches. And the hole diameter is just over 5/16 of an inch at 0.32 inches. If…

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Answer 3

On a 10 inch brake assembly such as #23-468 the magnet draws 3.2 to 4 amps at 12 to 13 volts. There are actually trailer brakes that have a parking brake feature such as #23-113 that you can use with kit #T2385200. With this set up you would be able…

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Answer 4

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 5

On each individual electric brake magnet the amperage draw would be 3.0 to 3.2 max amps at 12 to 13 volts on 7-inch brake magnets and 3.2 to 4.0 max amps at 12 to 13 volts on 10 and 12-inch brake magnets. The max amperage draw for the brake magnets…

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Answer 6

Brakes are designed to fit the hubs that fit the axles not the rims. So you want to stick with 3,500 pound, 10 inch brakes like the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust, part #23-468-469. Larger 12 inch brakes won't fit your hubs. It is more common to see 15 inch…

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Answer 7

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 8

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 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 11

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 12

Yes, it will work. You'll just need to cut the Lance 6-pin connector out and rewire it into the etrailer Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit w/ Junction Box and RV Style Connector item #e99011. Here are the individual functions of that Lance 6-pin:…

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Tekonsha POD Brake Controller 39523 - Does Trailer Need To Be Connected For Light To Turn On?

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