Aftermarket brake controller NO POWER

[mbonafide]

I wired up new controller to supplied gm harness that came with my 2015 Silverado. I do not have the MAX tow package, but I do have the All Star package that included frame hitch, 7 way plug,trans cooler, and gear.

I have no power from the harness, and there are 2 fuses in the #1 & #2 locations in the under hood fuse box.

I am at a total loss now. i remember previous years has a power wire bundled on the firewall that needed to be connected, I don't see anything on the 2015.

Ideas?

[ImTravis]

This is going to sound stupid, but have you checked the connection on the harness? When I put in my brake controller, I had a gm harness, spliced into it following the controller docs. Then plugged into the box under the dash. Could be a bad connection in your harness.

 

 

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[Jsdirt]

On my '07, I had to dig out 2 heavy gauge power leads out of the harness by the steering column, and connect them both to a positive stud on the underhood fuse block. Otherwise, there was no power to the trailer plug, or the under dash harness. Had to install a fuse too, to make it all work.

 

They've changed from Maxi-fuses to something I didn't have, so I mickey-rigged a Maxi fuse, and plugged it into the fuse block. Not pretty, but it works. I've got a pile of Maxi fuses, so why not use them?

[mbonafide]

ok traced it back to a bad fuse and i have power all the way to the controller.

 

but now it may seem I have a bad controller.

[Doug_Scott]

Depending on your controller, you may need to hook up a trailer in order for the controller to recognize it is hooked up,

[Jsdirt]

Yep - good point! A certain Tekonsha model comes to mind - the one with the green light that gradually changes to orange and then to red depending on how hard you step on the brakes. That controller doesn't look like it's working until a trailer is hooked up . Odd design, but it will throw you for a loop.

 

Guess how I found that out ...

 

It was the Tekonsha Voyager XP.

[mbonafide]

Yep - good point! A certain Tekonsha model comes to mind - the one with the green light that gradually changes to orange and then to red depending on how hard you step on the brakes. That controller doesn't look like it's working until a trailer is hooked up . Odd design, but it will throw you for a loop.

 

Guess how I found that out ...

 

It was the Tekonsha Voyager XP.

 

funny and yes that is what i have. i have tested it with the trailer plugged in. You can also trick it by using a test light on the blue wire to simulate the draw of a trailer plugged in. no green light. Ive had this this controller on the shelf for years new in box.

 

ordered a new prodigy p3.

[Jsdirt]

Did you try adjusting both sides of the unit? There's a gain adjustment on each side. The one I worked on I thought was dead when I hooked the trailer up and still got nothing. Adjusting the gain up higher made the light come on (and the brakes suddenly worked).

 

The P3 RULES - best controller I've ever used, hands down. It does get crazy sometimes, where it will suddenly send full power when your braking in traffic. Gets to be a pain in the ass. Tekonsha already replaced one unit for this. Looks like I may have to send the replacement back if it keeps up ...

[Doug_Scott]

 

funny and yes that is what i have. i have tested it with the trailer plugged in. You can also trick it by using a test light on the blue wire to simulate the draw of a trailer plugged in. no green light. Ive had this this controller on the shelf for years new in box.

 

ordered a new prodigy p3.

 

The reason I mentioned connecting the trailer was because that is what I ran into, with a Prodigy P3. I ended up having to locate someone that had a trailer with the 7 pin brake connector to convince myself that it would work after driving 6 hours to go pick the trailer up. Wanted to make sure I would not run into any issues once I got there. I got the P3 in 2010 or 2011. I think it was just new on the market at the time. Biggest feature for me was how it was designed to be removable. The mounting bracket has a socket like connection for the controller to plug into. I take the controller out of the mounting carrier when trailer is not being used.