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Wiring Configuration for Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller 90195  

Question:

Hello, I have a question about the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Electronic Brake Controller. I wanted to confirm that the expected definitions are as follows: 12V Power: 12VDC input Stop light: Signal indicating braking. It is either 0V or 12V. Its an input Ground: Chassis Ground Trailer Brakes: The output voltage signal that is proportional to how hard the brakes is applied. This is the signal we would feed to the trailer to control the brake pump.

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Prodigy P3 trailer brake controller uses a 4-wire hookup. The white wire is to be grounded to the battery negative terminal; the black power wire connects to the battery hot terminal through a circuit breaker; the red wire takes in the brake light signal from the cold side of the brake light switch and is used to trigger the P3 to send out a brake signal on the blue wire.

The red wire will carry an on-or-off signal; the actual degree of braking power sent to the trailer connector on the blue output wire depends on the power setting and the degree of deceleration in the tow vehicle. Proportional brake controllers like the Prodigy P3 generate their output signal in proportion to the rate the tow vehicle slows down, which keep the vehicle and trailer more in sync with each other for less of the tug-of-war feeling between truck and trailer.

To use the P3 with an electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) brake actuator on the trailer be sure to select EOH mode from the menu screen.

expert reply by:
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Adam R
Robert profile picture

Robert

6/3/2020

P3 comes with harness or bare device?

ChrisR profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Chris R.

6/7/2020

The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller # 90195 includes a wiring pigtail for hookup. If you can tell me what model vehicle you have I can see if there's a plug-in harness available to allow for an easier installation.
Robert profile picture

Robert

6/7/2020

@ChrisR ‘15 Volkswagen Golf hatch
ChrisR profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Chris R.

6/10/2020

@Robert Thanks for the info. Your VW Golf doesn't come equipped with a factory plug-in port for a brake controller so it'll need to be hardwired. If you don't yet have a 7-Way connector at the rear bumper you'll need to add that as well. You will start by installing a 4-Way Harness # 118646 (if not already present) and from there upgrade it to the needed 7-Way with the Wiring Kit # ETBC7.
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Robrt profile picture

Robrt

6/27/2020

DoEs a 2016 Hilux have a plug in port for a Tekonsha P3?

ChrisR profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Chris R.

7/1/2020

Since the Hilux isn't available in the US we unfortunately don't have any info on this, nor have the plug-in harnesses we have available been tested with this truck. I recommend checking with a local dealer to see if they have any resources for this.
Pat profile picture

Pat

3/13/2025

So the red wire from the brake switch should be ZERO volts when the brake pedal is NOT pressed and 12V when the brake is pressed? If so, my 1977 Chevy is backasswards. The red wire always has 12V until you press the brake pedal, then it's 0.0V...

JonG profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Jon G.

3/13/2025

@Pat Definitely not what you want to be seeing haha. You'll want to double check the wire it's connected to and find the correct one that gives the function that's required.
Jon profile picture

Jon

3/13/2025

@JonG I have double-checked the wiring and my brake lights work properly for years now... My brake light switch only has two wires; one is a constant 12V and the other side/pin of the brake switch is connected to the red wire of the controller. I'd just like to confirm that the red wire to the brake controller should be at 0V without the brake pedal pressed and 12V when the brake pedal is pressed. Thank you!
JonG profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Jon G.

3/13/2025

@Jon That would be correct, yes.
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