[shadowman]

I'm looking for some help in trouble shooting where I screwed up. No laughing allowed, but I could really appreciate some assistance.

So I'm in the process of wiring my trailer brakes, a Prodigy P3. It comes with the wiring harness for the controller, and I also have the wiring harness for the truck. After a short stint as a contortionist and finding the adapter up under the dash I decide to plug it in so I won't have to crawl up under again. (so I thought). I got it plugged in, then proceeded to cut the wires to the appropriate length. What I didn't do was unplug the harness, so as the wire cutters went through I received a bit of a fire work show. (Over exaggerated, but it did spark).
I proceeded to splice the harnesses together according to the instructions on the controller, making sure to match up the wires per their instructions for a New Dodge. The wire colors matched so I assume I did it right. Once I got everything spliced and taped I plugged it in, and turned on the key, and there was NO sign of life in the controller.

Here's what I've done. I'm pretty confident my connections were tight, because I pulled on them to make sure they were in the wire connectors secure before I taped them. I started the truck in case it needed to be running for the controller to come alive. Nothing still. I made sure the connections were plugged in.

I think I may have possibly blown a fuse when I cut the wire while plugged in. I checked the manual and there is no fuse for Trailer Brake. I couldn't find an in line fuse. So can anyone tell me what fuse is connected to the trailer brake wiring system so I can replace the fuse and see if it corrects my problem? I went through a majority of the smaller 10,15,20 amp fuses, but I couldn't see any that looked blown. I'm not familar with some of the bigger ones, which is why I want to make sure I have the right one before going to buy one, because I know they can't be cheap?

So there's my issue, if anyone can make any suggestions or give me direction to the right fuse I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[choupique108]

hey man if you still aint found it i could help you since i install them everyday... give me a call 337 794 4041

 

[mattpopp]

that is a great controller. It works great. Get your stuff worked out and you will love it

 

[shadowman]

hey man if you still aint found it i could help you since i install them everyday... give me a call 337 794 4041

Choupique108,

Thanks for leading me to the fuse, you were right it was the number 19 fuse and it was the pink 30 amp. Just thought I'd reply incase anyone in the future has a similar problem and does a search they would have the solution.


Now that I replaced the fuse, I still don't have power to the controller, so I've gotta go back and check my wiring connections, then I'll put a tester on the truck adapter to make sure I'm getting power. At that point if I still don't have power I'll have to assume it's a faulty controller?

Thanks again for all the help. This is a great place to find knowledable assistance.

 

[92 buckboard]

I don't want to sound condesending but do you have a trailer hooked up ? The light won't come on on the controller unless the circuit is complete and it detects the trailer brakes.

 

[mattpopp]

not on a P3 controller. It will say trailer disconnected until a trailer is connected. after a few moments of it seeing the trailer not there is just goes to a default screen.

if you put a light tester on the trailer brake pin in the plug and then ground the ground lead of the tester. It should come up with trailer connected.

 

[drtnsnw]

If I remember right the color codes don't match the color on the pigtail for the controller. There is a suplimental sheet that tells you what wire code goes to what pigtail wire. Make real sure you get the right combo. It is on Prodigy's website

Chris

 

[mileshuff]

Buy the wiring harness for the P3 to connect direct to your Dodge and be done with it! No cutting, splicing, taping etc. Just plug it in. Camping World has them as do many RV stores and online.

 

[B-rock]

Buy the wiring harness for the P3 to connect direct to your Dodge and be done with it! No cutting, splicing, taping etc. Just plug it in. Camping World has them as do many RV stores and online.

X2. I think I got mine off Ebay for 12 bucks. snap snap done.

 

[shadowman]

The saga continues, still looking for some expertise.

I contacted the manufacturer and was informed that I should have constant power coming from the 12v wire out of the truck. I put my test light on the connections coming from the truck and nothing. I get power from the brake wire when I push on the brake, but nothing from any of the other contacts.

I've replaced the #19 30 Amp Fuse for the Electric brake, so I know it's not that fuse, I'm wondering if there is another fuse that might be connected for the 12 volt wire. I hope this make sense?

Also, if it's not a fuse, do you think this is something I can get fixed under warranty?

 

[bart9505]

check for 12v at the fuse, then double check the wire you are using is the same one hooked to the fuse. Might be easier to just find another key activated power wire, but the draw varies from trailer to trailer, so find a big one. The pre-wired harness is 15 bucks, and will solve your problems, unless there really is a problem with your truck.

 

[Guest]

I'd say there is a problem in the trucks harness, or a problem with controller itself. Esspecially if your sure the hard wiring is correct. I have the prodigy, and if you want, I can find my instructions and post the colors of what is what, and where they go. I would think it would be the same as the P3. Let me know. Back to why I think it might be the truck. I had an 06 half ton that I put a hayes brake controller in. Could not figure out why it would not work. Buddy of mine crawled under the dash, and in 5 seconds he called me an idiot, and told me to hook up the light blue wire. I said I did, it's in the harness. He then told me that the light blue wire coming from 7 pin connector did not go into the factory harness. No kidding. It was ran through the firewall, and tied up under the dash, not pluged in to anything. I snipped it and connected it, and wha-lah, brakes. That is why I'd be looking into your truck as the possible problem. If your sure your hard wiring is correct, don't waste your money on the factory harness, it won't solve your problems.

 

[shadowman]

Problem solved. Finally!

So for anyone that has the same issue I hope this helps. I finally took it to the dealer yesterday, and wah lah it was a second fuse. So it appears when I cut the wire, while connected to the truck, it blew the fuse for the trailer tow as well as the electric brake. They are both the pink 30 amp fuses #12 and #19.

The guy walked back and got a fuse, before the service writer even wrote it up. Put the fuse in, and I plugged the controller in it lit up just like it should.

I have to give props to the guys a Larry Miller Dodge Service in Sandy UT, they have been awesome to work with every time I have a flash recall or any questions. I normally don't advertise for people, but these guys have been great.

Thanks for all the help and hints along the way.

 

[Maxxd Out Cummins]

If I remember right the color codes don't match the color on the pigtail for the controller. There is a suplimental sheet that tells you what wire code goes to what pigtail wire. Make real sure you get the right combo. It is on Prodigy's website

Chris

Agreed. Same situation with me.

 

[Techwest21]

Electronics was my life. That being said for those who will buy a controller: spend the extra $20 on the wiring harness. The most time consuming part of my install was deciding where to mount the controller. It really is plug and play. I thought it would take me 2hrs to do the install(from others that I have done). I used one screw on the lower dash cover and added one more of my own to mount the controller...a few zap straps to hold the wire away from the peddals...plugged it in and...:beer