We just purchased a 2013 WindRiver by Outdoors RV. During the maiden voyage parked at a rest stop (truck turned off) we noticed the rear (near the roof under the running lights) LED brake light flashing. We called the dealer, they had heard of this occurring one other time on a Blackstone. They stated they would order a Dino (sp) and that would take care of the problem. The Dino was installed and off we went so we thought. Once out of the dealership within a mile the trailer brakes engaged and the trailer began bucking. We adjusted the Prodigy trailer brake control with no luck. Back to the dealer. The Dino was removed and the tech noticed the Dino box was melting and hot. The wires were not melted.Today our auto mechanic suggested the LED light may need to be grounded.Have any of you experienced this issue? How was it resolved?

Did you find the problem? What year and type of truck do you tow with. I had a similar problem and it was my flasher in my truck. Replaced flasher and everything was fine.

We purchased a new Blackstone in May and had no problems until last week when we purchased a new Chevy pickup. Now our top rear stoplight is flashing when the daytime headlights are on. Did you find a solution to your problem?

I have the same problem with the 3rd brake lite blinking and finally disconnected the LED Brake Lite to prevent confusing people behind me.The problem started when I replaced my brake controller and changed to a new Prodigy. I believe the problem is caused by the Prodigy brake controller sending electrical pulses to verify the integrity of the brake wiring, and for some reason the pulse will blink the LED light, but not the standard brake lite bulbs.Calling and talking to a person that represented himself as a technical rep for Prodigy was absolutely no help. Said he had never heard of the problem and that my 5th wheel was probably miswired. Bottom line, 3rd Brake Lite started to blink after brake controller was replaced with Prodigy. West Beachhouse let us know if you find a fix.Jack

Mont G&J wrote:I have the same problem with the 3rd brake lite blinking and finally disconnected the LED Brake Lite to prevent confusing people behind me.The problem started when I replaced my brake controller and changed to a new Prodigy. I believe the problem is caused by the Prodigy brake controller sending electrical pulses to verify the integrity of the brake wiring, and for some reason the pulse will blink the LED light, but not the standard brake lite bulbs.Calling and talking to a person that represented himself as a technical rep for Prodigy was absolutely no help. Said he had never heard of the problem and that my 5th wheel was probably miswired. Bottom line, 3rd Brake Lite started to blink after brake controller was replaced with Prodigy. West Beachhouse let us know if you find a fix.JackI agree with your theory. The reason the LED's blink is because they will respond instantly to the voltage, unlike a standard bulb which has to heat up first. Wiring lights into the brake circuit doesn't seem like the best idea to me. The simple fix would be switch to a standard light.

I just talked to the warranty rep at Outdoors RV. The problem is caused by the new digital brake controllers that send a pulse every 6 to 8 seconds to insure the trailer is connected. Their solution is rewire he light that is flashing to be a tail light. A quick solution is to take the bulbs out.

Issue with LED brake light remains on | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

wnjj
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2013
You could always put a non-LED light up there if you really want 3rd brake light functionality.
Mont_G_J
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013
beergardens wrote:
Sounds like the problem is that your trailer has a high-mount brake light that was wired into the electric brake circuit instead of a lamp circuit. Obviously trailers have no provision for a brake lamp wire in the 7 pin connector so this lamp was wired into the brake circuit. The Prodigy monitors that circuit with a small voltage pulse, which seems to be enough to illuminate the high mount lamp. The easiest solution would be to simply disconnect the lamp. You can't hook it into one of the signal lights because it will flash with the turn signal on that side.

I believe this is an excellent description of the blinking 3rd brake light.

I am puzzled why Robbies Grandpa and me are the only ones to seem to have this problem. Actually, I think it's more widespread with Prodigy owners than they realize.

Also, I'm puzzled why the Prodigy person I spoke with replied he had never heard of this problem, and blamed it on my trailer wiring.

Finally, I did what Robbies Grandpa did and wired it to a tail-light wire so it comes on with the lights, and is not functional as a brake-light. Jack
beergardens
Explorer
Oct 04, 2013
Sounds like the problem is that your trailer has a high-mount brake light that was wired into the electric brake circuit instead of a lamp circuit. Obviously trailers have no provision for a brake lamp wire in the 7 pin connector so this lamp was wired into the brake circuit. The Prodigy monitors that circuit with a small voltage pulse, which seems to be enough to illuminate the high mount lamp. The easiest solution would be to simply disconnect the lamp. You can't hook it into one of the signal lights because it will flash with the turn signal on that side.
Robbies_grandpa
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
No. It is a taillight only.
Mont_G_J
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
Robbies grandpa wrote:
Went to take the bulbs out today. It is a sealed unit. It is wired for both brake lights and tail lights. Cut the red wire and the flashing will stop. The black supplies the tail light.

Thank-you for your follow-up answer. After cutting the Red wire will it still illuminate when the brake pedal is applied? Jack
Robbies_grandpa
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
Went to take the bulbs out today. It is a sealed unit. It is wired for both brake lights and tail lights. Cut the red wire and the flashing will stop. The black supplies the tail light.
MM49
Explorer
Oct 01, 2013
The LED lights when connected to a new vehicle with tail light diagnostics require a by pass resistor on external LED trailer lights. This is a known problem in the industry. The problem is the after market LED lights.
MM49
Robbies_grandpa
Explorer
Sep 28, 2013
I just talked to the warranty rep at Outdoors RV. The problem is caused by the new digital brake controllers that send a pulse every 6 to 8 seconds to insure the trailer is connected. Their solution is rewire he light that is flashing to be a tail light. A quick solution is to take the bulbs out.
wnjj
Explorer II
Sep 26, 2013
Mont G&J wrote:
I have the same problem with the 3rd brake lite blinking and finally disconnected the LED Brake Lite to prevent confusing people behind me.

The problem started when I replaced my brake controller and changed to a new Prodigy. I believe the problem is caused by the Prodigy brake controller sending electrical pulses to verify the integrity of the brake wiring, and for some reason the pulse will blink the LED light, but not the standard brake lite bulbs.

Calling and talking to a person that represented himself as a technical rep for Prodigy was absolutely no help. Said he had never heard of the problem and that my 5th wheel was probably miswired.

Bottom line, 3rd Brake Lite started to blink after brake controller was replaced with Prodigy.

West Beachhouse let us know if you find a fix.

Jack

I agree with your theory. The reason the LED's blink is because they will respond instantly to the voltage, unlike a standard bulb which has to heat up first. Wiring lights into the brake circuit doesn't seem like the best idea to me. The simple fix would be switch to a standard light.
Mont_G_J
Explorer
Sep 26, 2013
I have the same problem with the 3rd brake lite blinking and finally disconnected the LED Brake Lite to prevent confusing people behind me.

The problem started when I replaced my brake controller and changed to a new Prodigy. I believe the problem is caused by the Prodigy brake controller sending electrical pulses to verify the integrity of the brake wiring, and for some reason the pulse will blink the LED light, but not the standard brake lite bulbs.

Calling and talking to a person that represented himself as a technical rep for Prodigy was absolutely no help. Said he had never heard of the problem and that my 5th wheel was probably miswired.

Bottom line, 3rd Brake Lite started to blink after brake controller was replaced with Prodigy.

West Beachhouse let us know if you find a fix.

Jack

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Issue with LED brake light remains on

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