TEKONSHA P3 PRODIGY ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER

[NavyDiver]

I had a P3 on my D3 for my camping tralier. Had some suspension and fault issues. While fixing them it was found my brake lights some time stayed on when no one was in the car! P3 disconnected and presto problem solved. Wiring was checked and double checked with no faults found. My dad ( grey nomad) borrowed my trailer for a trip last year and we had a Sparky install a P3 in his magna. He mentioned last week he had a fault with his cruise control. P3 disconnected and presto his car is fine as well.

One error is ok. Two seems to show a trend in my opinion. Aleady contacted Tekonsha who of course asked me to double check wiring again. I will ket you know the results.

[Don 130]

We had a teconsha fitted to my wifes ute some years ago and it did the brake light trick from new. The auto electrician who fitted it, changed it to a redarc. years later, we've had good service from the redarc and I'd reccomend them, unlike teconsha. By the way the ute tows most of the time.
Don.

[Ozzy119]

I fitted my P3 in my D4. I followed Sniegy's guidelines and haven't had a single problem. (I fitted it in my previous JK wrangler too and had no issues there either) So far the P3 has been in use for well over 29,000 Km's (sum of both vehicles) towing and no problems at all.

I suspect most errors are due to incorrect wiring techniques.

For the D3/4 use this....

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/97935-d4-electric-trailer-brakes.html#post1174363

[But 'n' Ben]

Hi Weakestlink, I have used Tekonsha units, older Prodigy, and now the P3.
No problems to report, and there are many users out there.
The common denominator, in your post, would appear to be your Trailer.
Just a thought??

[NavyDiver]

Hi Weakestlink, I have used Tekonsha units, older Prodigy, and now the P3.
No problems to report, and there are many users out there.
The common denominator, in your post, would appear to be your Trailer.
Just a thought??

Trailer is not on when problems noted. Found on my D3 while up on a hoist with keys in it and turned off. The magna has not had my trailer on it for over 6 months so unless the trailer could damage the controler I doubt it is the issue. The controler works fine with the trailer on but noted a major eletrical systems fault once in SA while it was connected 5 months ago. A new sparky checked will check my wiring to both the installation instructions and the helpful guide by Sniegy.

Several posts point out the wiring for Redarch or P3 controler is the same. The installer on mine has put muliple redarch in Disco's and the auto sparky who installed on my dads car seems very capble to myself so I assume both wiring set up are correct but will double check asap while I watch. what is interesting on this is how it is dealt with. A minor self inflicted issue with my LLAMS was fixed with no cost to myself- I am going to have to drop a bottle of something in for that nice gent!

I do not mind Tekonsha asking for a wiring check. But note I had already asked people with more knowlege than I to double check the wiring so I am now triple checking via someone else to be 100%. It may not be Tekonsha but I suspect it may be due to two I brought both giving greif and both installed by 2 diferent competent professional people. Happy to have my thoughts proven wrong and will pay to check this on Friday. I like the controler by they way and the many recommendations on this forum speaks for itself:) just want the issue identified and fixed not to flame Tekonsha.

[robbotd5]

I have a P3 fitted to my D2a and on two occasions the brake lights have stayed on. I pulled the over ride on a couple of times and the lights went back to normal. Both occasions with the van not connected.
Otherwise an excellent unit.
Regards
Robbo

[bcl]

I have a P3 fitted to my D2a and on two occasions the brake lights have stayed on. I pulled the over ride on a couple of times and the lights went back to normal. Both occasions with the van not connected.
Otherwise an excellent unit.
Regards
Robbo

Have you got a diode installed in the wire from the brake lights?

[Davehoos]

Thanks.
ive got 2 HINO trucks with LED lights and new didgital prodgy units that the left rear stop light comes on at a half glow mostly when raining.

the led was a 6V-30V light and I fitted a resister thinking it was getting a small feedback voltage from other items like auto transmision or cruise control.a test light in parralllel turns the light off but a digital meter didnt show any real voltage.

[Davehoos]

Have you got a diode installed in the wire from the brake lights?

it suposed to turn on the brake lights if you manually use the over ride or it sences deaxcelleration.
i ei the lights come on when you down shift.WHEN TRAILER IS ON.

is there dirt in the trailer plug.

[Graeme]

it suposed to turn on the brake lights if you manually use the over ride or it sences deaxcelleration.
i ei the lights come on when you down shift.WHEN TRAILER IS ON.
Nowhere in the manual does it say or suggest these actions so from where did you obtain this information? Applying trailer brakes just because the vehicle is decelerating is not appropriate anyway.

[Nomad9]

Hi Weakest link,
I haven't read Sneigys reply but I have a Tekonsha installed in my D3, I wired everything from the back left hand corner of the vehicle using the trailer wiring plug and running the wires under the vehicle back to the drivers side foot well, a bit of a pain in the butt for the initial set up but since then no problems at all.

[DRD]

When researching the P3 I noted that is some vehicles you had to pickup the break input from a specific point to stop feedback through the unit as some one indicated that a diode fitted to the break input should isolate any feedback to the light system
DD

[Franz]

I have a P3 fitted to my D2a and on two occasions the brake lights have stayed on. I pulled the over ride on a couple of times and the lights went back to normal. Both occasions with the van not connected.
Otherwise an excellent unit.
Regards
Robbo

Robbo,

where did you mount the P3 in your D2a?

Cheers,

Franz

[TerryO]

Franz, I fitted mine in the centre coin tray on top of the dash, just take out the small rubber insert and drill the hole up through the tray. It is easy to reach the over ride in an emergency and you can always see the read out.

Plus if you ever decide to take it out of the D2 then you can shove the wiring back through the hole and put the rubber insert back in and no one would be the wiser.

[Epic]

I wondered if the ashtray could be removed from the D4 and a controller recessed in the space. Not sure how much wiring and stuff is behind it though.

[Tombie]

I wondered if the ashtray could be removed from the D4 and a controller recessed in the space. Not sure how much wiring and stuff is behind it though.

Lots!!!!

And would look pretty bad I think.

[robbotd5]

Franz.
I mounted mine on the swing down cover drivers side. I can see it and use it quite easily.
And no diode in brake light wire
Regards
Robbo

[Franz]

Robbo,

When you say no diode in the brake light wire what does this diode do? I've had a diode fitted in the trailer so that the reversing lights can be used for illumination in the en suite as well as for reversing lights. To make this work, the lights can be manually switched on from a toggle switch in the trailer as well as activated when selecting reverse in the D2, a diode is required (so I'm told).

I've just finished mounting the P3 in the ash tray slot (wiring still to be connected)

Cheers,

Franz

[ADMIRAL]

Lots!!!!

And would look pretty bad I think.
Ditto, I honestly can't recall all the detail, but I removed the centre console to investigate the practicality of mounting spotlight toggles. I am pretty sure the ash tray/coin trays, are part of the console proper, and using anything in this area would require butchering plastics to the point of no return, which I wasn't prepared to do. I also have the feeling there was very little space underneath or behind the console. If you are really worried about space, have a look at the Redarc range. They have a remote switch version several forum members have used. ( do a search ) Sorry no idea how it compares with the P3 for features.