Tekonsha P3 Issues

Deichler · April 16, 2010

Hi all. I don't know where this belongs, but it is truck related and this is the best place where this will be seen. I have a P3 installed in my truck. When I "level" it, it stays level for about a minute and then reads 0.0 at the output again. I have contacted Tekonsha, but that is like pissing in the wind. They said they were going to send me a bench test for the P3 to see if it is the controller acting up, which I am sure it is as the trailer is brand new. I was wondering if any of you guys with the P3 have a good way of setting it up. Maybe I am doing it wrong, but I have done it the same as what I have seen in other trucks and where I can get my reading to come out correctly, and within a matter of a minute it is off. So something seems to be messed up with the pendulum or something inside the unit itself. I paid quite a chunk of change for this "great" controller, but I am dissapointed. Contacted Tekonsha Tech line twice with no e-mail or response, once by phone and once by e-mail. So I thought I would come here and get it straight from one of you guys if you think it is the controller, or I am setting it up wrong. I have it level, and at ~45 degree angle so it faces you so you can read it, I have tried straight level to all the way vertical, still same thing, within a minute or so, the pendulum is off, and reads 0.0 on the output. So I am frustrated and don't want my load of restored Deere's in jeapardy due to a faulty controller. Thanks in advance fore any help on this. I am not impressed with Tekonsha service so far, but maybe they will make a believer out of me. I just want to stop my trailer with the controller as it is supposed to, not ruin the brakes on my truck even farther. Thanks guys!

jblakeney · April 16, 2010

Hi all. I don't know where this belongs, but it is truck related and this is the best place where this will be seen. I have a P3 installed in my truck. When I "level" it, it stays level for about a minute and then reads 0.0 at the output again. I have contacted Tekonsha, but that is like pissing in the wind. They said they were going to send me a bench test for the P3 to see if it is the controller acting up, which I am sure it is as the trailer is brand new. I was wondering if any of you guys with the P3 have a good way of setting it up. Maybe I am doing it wrong, but I have done it the same as what I have seen in other trucks and where I can get my reading to come out correctly, and within a matter of a minute it is off. So something seems to be messed up with the pendulum or something inside the unit itself. I paid quite a chunk of change for this "great" controller, but I am dissapointed. Contacted Tekonsha Tech line twice with no e-mail or response, once by phone and once by e-mail. So I thought I would come here and get it straight from one of you guys if you think it is the controller, or I am setting it up wrong. I have it level, and at ~45 degree angle so it faces you so you can read it, I have tried straight level to all the way vertical, still same thing, within a minute or so, the pendulum is off, and reads 0.0 on the output. So I am frustrated and don't want my load of restored Deere's in jeapardy due to a faulty controller. Thanks in advance fore any help on this. I am not impressed with Tekonsha service so far, but maybe they will make a believer out of me. I just want to stop my trailer with the controller as it is supposed to, not ruin the brakes on my truck even farther. Thanks guys!

VERY interesting............ There is no level ADJUSTMENT.... Look at the manual first page (or it is the first page on the pdf) I was almost positive I never leveled either of mine... But the manual makes me believe myself more.. I have not leveled them, as they automatically level themself..

Sounds like the controller is bad...... Where did you buy it? If you had purchased it from me... I would be writing up the defect slip for ya right now and expecting you first thing in morning to get a new one.....

Providing you have it mounted like the picture. It has to be square front to back with side of the frame rail.... With the screen pointed towards the seats..

Jbo

Deichler · April 16, 2010

Jeremy, I have tried the perfectly level, screen level and facing the seat. Still, it does the same thing. The controller is only 3 months old, and have used it just in the last month only, as that is when I bought my new trailer. I highly doubt the trailer has anything to do with it. I bought it online on e-bay, but I would think Tekonsha would help me out, but they so far, seem not to care. Tekonsha carries the warranty and I would think they would want this one, so they can look into this one and make sure this situation don't happen again. I really do not feel like spending another $130 and tearing all the wiring out and sending it back. I just want either a bench test like the Tech said he was going to e-mail me, or a new controller itself and try that, see if there is any difference. If there is not any difference, then I am sure it is truck wire or trailer wire related then. But I highly doubt this is that, I am positive it is the P3.

music · April 16, 2010

I haven't used the P3, but the Prodigy isn't "leveled" by the user. It always reads "0.0" when there is no braking action, and shows the output level during braking (higher = more brake). I guess it would be helpful to describe what is meant by "leveling" and what the "0.0" output is supposed to mean on the P3.

revrnd · April 16, 2010

Try posting over on rv.net Lots of folks have used the P3 controller there. I installed 1 last year on my '04 & have had no issues w/ it. I just hooked up the wiring & mounted the controller.

0.0 is the indication when the brakes are not operating.

When I "level" it, it stays level for about a minute and then reads 0.0 at the output again.

Does the display show something else before it goes to 0.0?

jblakeney · April 16, 2010

Jeremy, I have tried the perfectly level, screen level and facing the seat. Still, it does the same thing. The controller is only 3 months old, and have used it just in the last month only, as that is when I bought my new trailer. I highly doubt the trailer has anything to do with it. I bought it online on e-bay, but I would think Tekonsha would help me out, but they so far, seem not to care. Tekonsha carries the warranty and I would think they would want this one, so they can look into this one and make sure this situation don't happen again. I really do not feel like spending another $130 and tearing all the wiring out and sending it back. I just want either a bench test like the Tech said he was going to e-mail me, or a new controller itself and try that, see if there is any difference. If there is not any difference, then I am sure it is truck wire or trailer wire related then. But I highly doubt this is that, I am positive it is the P3.

Go back to where you purchased it. It is defective..

Jbo

Deichler · April 17, 2010

Thanks Jeremy. Thats what I thought. I called Tekonsha and they e-mailed me the bench test and it is deffective in all tests I can throw at it. So I will call them on Monday with my results as they are not open on weekends unfortunately.

Kris, it does read the correct voltage.....IE-if I set it to 6.0 output, it will read that for say a minute, then it fluctuates say like 5.9-6.0 a bunch of times, then it will read 0.0 output. Then, I move it to where I get my preset output, and it will do it all over again. Tekonsha said they would warrant it if I could not get the bench tests to work out, we will see I guess. I hope it all gets straightend out. Electronics are nice, but when they don't work, they are a PITA.

Robert, I am aware controllers read 0.0 when no brake is applied. This is with full brake applied, and still 0.0-and if I move it up or down, it will read the correct output and then go into a fit of say 5.9-6.0 rapidly, then read 0.0 within a 1/2 minute or so......then move it again, and it will work for a minute and then do it all over again, if this makes any sense? This is weird as I have not heard of anyone with this issue, and Tekonsha Tech seemed a little stumped and the guy just told the gal I was talking with that it sounds like it is shot! But I wanted to try the bench tests first just to make sure.

Raymond Lowe · April 18, 2010

I'm not sure we all fully understand how this controller works, so for the benefit of others reading this post;

The P3 can be mounted up to 90 degrees from the level position, as in straight up or straight down at it's extremes.

There is nothing to "level" or set up other than your maximum braking voltage and initial boost. The boost setting speeds up application of the brakes by getting them partially energized the moment your brake lights come on.

If you're just sitting in your driveway and apply the brakes, all you're going to see is the initial low boost voltage (B1, B2, B3, etc) for a few seconds, then it will drop to zero because it's not sensing any deceleration at this point. People expect to see full brake voltage when they stomp on the pedal and that's not what happens. If you use the manual lever, then you'll see brake voltage depending on how far you move the lever up to the maximum you've programmed.

If you are physically pivoting the unit up and down in it's mount with the brake applied, then it will produce erratic voltage due to the movement of the inertia sensor inside. I think that's what I read by the OP.

When you set the upper voltage limit, you are trying to get maximum trailer brake action just before the trailer wheels lock up. You will likely have to play around with this on a paved side street at 30kmh (20mph) to get it dialed in. Dexter also suggests that you set up the brakes (most recreational trailers have manual adjusters), then apply light braking with the manual lever for a few blocks to clean off the surface rust and warm up the brakes before you do the max voltage adjustments.

jblakeney · April 19, 2010

The only thing you can do to screw this controller up during install is... mount it where it is not parallel with the frame. Level makes no difference.......

You should have the screen pointing towards the seats.

Frame controller

| | OK

| / will not function correctly

| \ will not function correctly

Yes it will read 0.0 if you are sitting and press the brake.

The controller detects movement.

Well, you can do other things to screw the controller up.... I.E. power the ground side and ground the Hot side......... But providing everything is hooked up right. THIS IS THE BEST CONTROLLER ON THE MARKET....... In my opinion.... I would not second guess a purchase of this Brand and Type.

DeerePWR, they usually stand behind their product. Why did you go back directly to Tekonsha for a warranty??? The outlet you purchased it from any question of defect should have warranted it.... I have NEVER HAD an issue with them and a defective units.

I have been in the selling business long enough to know.. I don't care who makes it giving X product they will make Y number of DUD's right out of the box.

Jbo