Trailer brake wiring

[Denial]

I've been wrestling with installing a Tekonsha Prodigy electric trailer brake controller in my new '02 GMC Sierra Denali.  I bought the Tekonsha wiring adapter that goes direclty from the Prodigy to the vehicle fuse panel under the dash.  

 

The problem is the Prodigy does not work and gives an error indication that the trailer isn't hooked up.  I've connected to both my trailer and another new trailer with the same results.

The 'blue' wire at the rear connector isn't getting any voltage when the brakes are applied.

 

The Tekonsha folks and trailer dealer blame my truck wiring.  I'm just wondering if anyone has seen a case where the factory wiring was off.

 

Couple notes:  

 

the 'maxi fuse' is installed and the everything on the trailer lights inside/out work except the electric brakes.

 

The trailer dealer looked at using the factory trailer package harness with the harness that comes with the Prodigy, but it would just wire up the same way as the special wiring connector that I bought.

 

Thanks,

-Ken

[SilveradoWV]

Other than just making sure the blue wire is on an AUX post, thats about it! I have another brand but I just plugged it in, in the box in the drivers side floor and it works! My truck did not come with the 8 wire harness so I got everything from the dealer and did it myself, so I am not sure if the blue wire comes connected at the AUX post or not, since mine wasnt there to begin with! You need to make sure the blue wire is getting power under the hood, if it is and it still doesnt read at the rear, it is broke in 2 somewhere along the way or not in the plug good!

[Shaners]

There are 2 other possabillities.

 

One is that your are not getting a good ground at the ball.  The trailer should be sitting firmly locked on the ball to complete the curcuit.

 

The other is that the same thing that happened to me could have happened to you.  (I blew a fuse when I installed the brake controller).  I don't remember which exact fuse it was, but it was a green (30 Amp?) maxi-fuse...  When I replaced it all was and still is fine.

[Shaners]

Alright curiousity got the best of me and I went out to the garage to see which fuse it was that I blew by accident.  It was the green 30 Amp maxi-fuse in stud #2 location in the electrical center under the hood.  

 

According to my book that fuse is for "Accessory Power/Trailer Wiring Brake Feed".

 

I blew mine because I plugged in the wiring harness to the fuse box and then fed it through the dash.  It arched on some metal when I did that and popped that other fuse.

[Shotgun]

Your controller will give you an error because it isn't seeing a load,in other words it isn't seeing the resitance you should get through the coils on the brake actuators.This is what we call a supervised circuit.This either indicates an open circuit or your fuse is popped.If it isn't your fuse you need to get under the trailer and check voltage near the wheel,normally there are splices near the axle and manufacturers tend to use the little blue scotchlok splices that are always causing trouble.I know you tried it on another trailer but just thought I would mention it.The wiring on your controller should be color to color.Hope this helps.Also,like Shaners mentioned check your ground ,but if your connection is wired properly your ground should be hard wired through your trailer connection......Gun

[SilveradoWV]

If it isn't your fuse you need to get under the trailer and check voltage near the wheel,normally there are splices near the axle and manufacturers tend to use the little blue scotchlok splices that are always causing trouble.Hope this helps.Also,like Shaners mentioned check your ground ,but if your connection is wired properly your ground should be hard wired through your trailer connection......Gun

Definately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to replace those little blue snap things all over my trailer!!!!! Now I watch out for them on anything I get!!! TERRIBLE! The ground should be wired into the plug too, I didnt know they still used the trailer to ball as a ground, that has some funny effects sometimes!

[Shotgun]

This may help too :GM supplied brake control harness Tekonsha brake control wires

All electronic models function

Gm harness            Tekonsha Brake controller

 

   Red                               Black

 Lt. Blue                           Red

  Black                          White

Dk Blue                             Blue

 Brown                            Not used

 

 

NOTE: The above applies only to the GM factory supplied harness, if using Tekonsha harness #3025, the harness colors match the brake control

[Denial]

Thanks guys.  Since my trailer brakes work with another truck, and I can connected my truck to a new trailer with the same results, I'm leaning towards the Tekonsha Prodigy being faulty.  

 

I'll check the other fuses again.  I doubt the factory harness is the problem, but you never know.

 

Thanks again,

-Ken