Started to pull away with my trailer and had the leash for the breakaway switch routed incorrectly, so I activated the breakaway switch and the trailer brakes locked up. No problem, put the plunger back in the switch, fixed the leash, and off I went. About a block down the road I noticed my brake controller (Tekonsha Prodigy) now displayed no connection even though it had shown a connection before I tripped the breakaway switch. So I stopped, reseated the trailer connector, didn't help. Turned the vehicle on and off, no help. Finally, with the vehicle running, pulled the breakaway switch plunger and reinserted it, then the brake controller displayed a proper connection and everything was back to normal. Any thoughts on what the connection is between activating the breakaway switch, and the brake controller thinking the trailer isn't connected?
Breakaway switch affects brake controller?
- Thread starter BeezFun
- Start date
- Views: 4129
Willl
Elite Member
Other than the Prodigy seeing power on the brake wire there is no other connection. It is strange though.
Maybe it just took some time to 'reset' ?
Maybe it just took some time to 'reset' ?
David_Kb7uns
Veteran Member
In the instructions for the Prodigy it states not to have it hooked to trailer if you are testing the breakaway switch. Feeding voltage into the output of the Prodigy likely may of at least blew a fuse inside or a trace, or more likely blew the output transistors and associated electronics.
David Kb7uns
David Kb7uns
atschirner
Silver Member
I can't tell you why it reset the second time but I can offer a reason for the "no trailer" indication when the breakaway switch activated.
The brake controller depends on a small current flowing through the wiring and brake coils to know the trailer is connected. When the breakaway switch activated the emergency battery caused this current to stop flowing because the brake controller and the emergency battery are connected in parallel.
Make sense?
The brake controller depends on a small current flowing through the wiring and brake coils to know the trailer is connected. When the breakaway switch activated the emergency battery caused this current to stop flowing because the brake controller and the emergency battery are connected in parallel.
Make sense?
I've heard some controllers can get fried if activating the breakaway. Talk about very poor design.
Heck I've tripped on the cord and snatched it out stepping over the trailer tongue...I'd be really P.O.d if that blew the controller
radioman
Super Member
that is odd. I never had a problem with that. I tripped on the pull leash and pulled out plunger once. ( It was a hard trip with a bruise!) Havent had any problems with the controller at all. have a tenoksa (spelling?) controller not that it makes any difference.
side note- this thread should be in the towing trailer section.
side note- this thread should be in the towing trailer section.
MarkLeininger
Platinum Member
Makes perfect sense, I'll go with that. Curious that it behaved differently the second time. At least I know the breakaway switch works.
MarkLeininger
Platinum Member
I guess they figure if you ever actually lose the trailer and activate the breakaway switch you'll need new underwear anyway, so why not buy a new brake controller at the same time.
MarkLeininger
Platinum Member
Yes sorry, that was a mistake
crk133
Silver Member
i have the same controller i think i remember reading that activating the brake away can ruin the controller. id just be happy it did no lasting damage