Problem with LED trailer lights
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: 0,0,1
You sure about that? Brake lights always work even when the key is off, so there can still be some live power in the unit at all times.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
Mine powers down. It is lit when the ignition is on, but goes off when the ignition is off. I just checked mine with my meter and I have nothing on any pin on my seven pin with the key out of the ignition switch. Anyone have anything different?
Steve
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
Yes, you work the brake pedal to feed power to the red controller lead, but power to and through the controller to the blue lead feeds off the black lead to the controller. I think the black is fed by the relay for the trailer brakes.
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New User
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Here is the response I received from Tekonsha regarding the Prodigy II brake controller:
The Prodigy P2 should have nothing to do with your brake lights. That being said it does sound like the LED lights are catching the trailer detection signal from the control. What you are describing would tell me either the trailer is not wired correctly or you appear to have a short between the Electric brake circuit and the Brake lights on the trailer. If in fact the trailer manufacturer wired Brake Lights to the Electric Brake circuit, this needs to be corrected as it is not DOT compliant. I would unplug the brake control and activate the brakes on the truck, with the trailer plugged in, and see if there are any lights that no longer function.
Looks like I have a little testing to do next time I'm out where my trailer is located.
Don Z.
The Prodigy P2 should have nothing to do with your brake lights. That being said it does sound like the LED lights are catching the trailer detection signal from the control. What you are describing would tell me either the trailer is not wired correctly or you appear to have a short between the Electric brake circuit and the Brake lights on the trailer. If in fact the trailer manufacturer wired Brake Lights to the Electric Brake circuit, this needs to be corrected as it is not DOT compliant. I would unplug the brake control and activate the brakes on the truck, with the trailer plugged in, and see if there are any lights that no longer function.
Looks like I have a little testing to do next time I'm out where my trailer is located.
Don Z.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 16
From: Estacada, Oregon
my P3 will hold the trailer brakes for 10 minutes or something when turned off. I dont use this feature on mine (as usually once I level my TT I chock the wheels and unhitch), but it doesnt mean yours wouldnt have this same feature.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
If that were the problem, it should mean constant lights. His blink off and on.
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New User
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While the Prodigy was unplugged from the truck, I pressed the brake pedal. I had a working left brake light and nothing on the right side. Prodigy was reconnected and both brake lights worked when the pedal was depressed. Oh yeah, the blinking started as soon as the Prodigy was reconnected to the truck.
I guess I get to spend some time under my trailer figuring out where they crossed the brake wire with the brake light wire.
Don Z.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
I had to use my trailer today, so I had a chance to do some testing. When I unplugged the Prodigy from the wiring harness, the blinking stopped. I swear there was a post that discussed seeing if the brake lights worked without the brake controller connected, but I couldn't find the reply.
While the Prodigy was unplugged from the truck, I pressed the brake pedal. I had a working left brake light and nothing on the right side. Prodigy was reconnected and both brake lights worked when the pedal was depressed. Oh yeah, the blinking started as soon as the Prodigy was reconnected to the truck.
I guess I get to spend some time under my trailer figuring out where they crossed the brake wire with the brake light wire.
Don Z.
While the Prodigy was unplugged from the truck, I pressed the brake pedal. I had a working left brake light and nothing on the right side. Prodigy was reconnected and both brake lights worked when the pedal was depressed. Oh yeah, the blinking started as soon as the Prodigy was reconnected to the truck.
I guess I get to spend some time under my trailer figuring out where they crossed the brake wire with the brake light wire.
Don Z.
Steve
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Don Z.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
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From: Bristol, TN.
If that is the case, next stop would be the J box on the trailer.
Steve
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Ouray, CO
Next stop should be to take it back, without the trailer brake controller plugged in and have the dealer figure it out. (once they figure it out - they'll probably use another trailer and/or truck to verify where the oddness is) plug in your brake controller and see what happens.
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New User
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Next stop should be to take it back, without the trailer brake controller plugged in and have the dealer figure it out. (once they figure it out - they'll probably use another trailer and/or truck to verify where the oddness is) plug in your brake controller and see what happens.
Don Z.
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