prodigy brake controller ( I need help)

Since, the E brake didn't work out the way you wanted. Have you thought about jacking up the trailer so at least one wheel is off the ground then apply brakes and see if they activate. Ours were activating, but the brakes themselves needed to be adjusted. Adjusted all four brakes and got that old braking feeling and we were all happy.

TucsonJim wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
IF you pulled the E brake with the controller hooked up. You could have fried the controller. Check the pins on the truck to be sure the controller is still working.

I'm curious what you're basing this on? I've pulled my pin many times with the trailer hooked up and never fried a controller. In fact, I've used it as a secondary emergency brake when parked on a very steep grade many times and never experience a fault with either a Prodigy or a Tekonsha controller.

Saw it in the instructions, Under important facts to remember.

No.3 Disconnect trailer plug from Tow vehicle prior to testing a breakaway switch, or you may destroy the Prodigy..
BTW using the E-brake for a parking brake, can do more than destroy the Prodigy. It can hurt your trailer brakes. I have heard of it messing up the magnates. I've not done it, and am not going to test it.

jlscjs wrote:

TucsonJim wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
IF you pulled the E brake with the controller hooked up. You could have fried the controller. Check the pins on the truck to be sure the controller is still working.

I'm curious what you're basing this on? I've pulled my pin many times with the trailer hooked up and never fried a controller. In fact, I've used it as a secondary emergency brake when parked on a very steep grade many times and never experience a fault with either a Prodigy or a Tekonsha controller.

The same here, I just want to know if anyone has experienced the same issue as I have, not being able to set the controller to 6 volts like the manual says, I hate to spend a 100 bucks on a new controller if it isn't bad, it's just I cannot set it at 6 volts, it shows 12 volts then starts dropping to 0 volts within a few seconds

By all means call Tekonsha. Best customer service there is. If the controller is bad they will replace it at no cost to you.

I suspect you have a wiring problem and not a controller problem. Read the Prodigy manual carefully so you have a good understanding how a prodigy works. From what I have read in this thread not sure most really understand how the Prodigy works.

Check the ground. A friend of mine was having trouble with his controller and it turned out to be the ground under the "tounge" of the 5vr was not making good contact. Good luck.

jlscjs wrote:
I hate to spend a 100 bucks on a new controller if it isn't bad, it's just I cannot set it at 6 volts, it shows 12 volts then starts dropping to 0 volts within a few seconds

Teconsha has great customer service. Best to give them a call. They can tell you how to best diagnose your issue. I think they will advise you to get out your DMM and check the input voltage to your BC. Should be 12V without the truck running. I think it is the blue wire...but not sure. If that checks good, Then they will tell you what wires to check for the output to the trailer connector. Should be 12V with truck not running AND VOLTAGE TURNED UP TO MAX, AND MANUAL LEVER TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE STOP. If that checks good, Then check the voltage to the plug pins. If all that is good, then start checking the circuit in the trailer.

Anyway, give them a call.

TucsonJim wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
IF you pulled the E brake with the controller hooked up. You could have fried the controller. Check the pins on the truck to be sure the controller is still working.

I'm curious what you're basing this on? I've pulled my pin many times with the trailer hooked up and never fried a controller. In fact, I've used it as a secondary emergency brake when parked on a very steep grade many times and never experience a fault with either a Prodigy or a Tekonsha controller.

I believe the Teconsha instruction sheet might mention this. I don't have my Teconsha P2 now (since my truck has an IBC). But I know I have read this fact, somewhere in the Teconsha instructions. I have had my E brake pulled on the trailer with my P2 hooked up. And not had a problem. But it is a good idea to disconnect the BC or the truck/trailer plug, if pulling the e-brake stick.

TucsonJim wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
IF you pulled the E brake with the controller hooked up. You could have fried the controller. Check the pins on the truck to be sure the controller is still working.

I'm curious what you're basing this on? I've pulled my pin many times with the trailer hooked up and never fried a controller. In fact, I've used it as a secondary emergency brake when parked on a very steep grade many times and never experience a fault with either a Prodigy or a Tekonsha controller.

The same here, I just want to know if anyone has experienced the same issue as I have, not being able to set the controller to 6 volts like the manual says, I hate to spend a 100 bucks on a new controller if it isn't bad, it's just I cannot set it at 6 volts, it shows 12 volts then starts dropping to 0 volts within a few seconds

Terryallan wrote:
IF you pulled the E brake with the controller hooked up. You could have fried the controller. Check the pins on the truck to be sure the controller is still working.

I'm curious what you're basing this on? I've pulled my pin many times with the trailer hooked up and never fried a controller. In fact, I've used it as a secondary emergency brake when parked on a very steep grade many times and never experience a fault with either a Prodigy or a Tekonsha controller.

IF you pulled the E brake with the controller hooked up. You could have fried the controller. Check the pins on the truck to be sure the controller is still working.

If you want to check the operation of the E brake. Unhook the pigtale from the truck, and pull the pin. It should activate the brake IF the BATTERY is charged. No battery, no brakes.

When setting the power. Turn the dial BEFORE using the manual slide. And don't have your foot on the brakes. Set it, then use the slide to check. Repeat. Then get up to 25MPH, and pull the slide fully on, again without your foot on the brakes. You should be able to tell how much your TT is braking. Do it, and adjust as necessary till you get it where you want it.

TucsonJim wrote:
First thing I'd do: With the trailer hooked up, I'd pull the emergency cable pin out and make sure the brakes are locked up which will take them out of the trouble shooting equation. If not, you might have a brake or wiring problem on the trailer itself.

If you need more instruction on how to do this, let us know.

I tired this but I had no current to the brakes, I have a blue wire and a white wire that are pigtailed into the switch, the white wire reads hot when I'm not connected to the truck and the blue wire reads nothing, even if I pull the pin for the emerg. brake