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Tow brake wire harness sparked help

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by FundraTRD, Dec 31, 2020.

  1. Dec 31, 2020 at 11:09 AM
    #1
    FundraTRD

    FundraTRD [OP] New Member

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    Hey guys, coming on here after a situation this morning. The tow break the way it was positioned was bumping the knees so it needed to be moved. I unplugged the harness from the back and it just so slightly touched the metal part near the obd sensor area and I saw a small spark. Of of the tooth on the wire harness looks fried up a little bit, tried to plug it back into the prodigy tow brake and it won’t turn on.

    I’m not very good with these kinds of things, hindsight I guess I should have taped it before trying to reposition but never really experienced a plastic harness sparking up like this but the metal does stick out past the plastic.

    what harm do you think I have caused for it not to power up my prodigy tow brake anymore? Would I just switch out the harness or is it related to a fuse I could switch out? Your help is appreciated, and again I’m not very technical so if you could explain to me as easy as possible I’d greatly appreciate it - it looks like the black side of the 3rd picture uploaded

    7CDEC888-89C0-4DC3-B089-BE9B3513095F.jpg
    1F32BA91-9CFD-4F59-B958-03B87F5C275C.jpg

    A3B9A362-D92F-4CDB-8A3F-C23D2475E38F.jpg
     
  2. Dec 31, 2020 at 11:15 AM
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    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

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    I would check your fuses. My bet is that you blew whichever one that circuit is tapped into when you shorted it out. That’s what they are there for.
     
    NewImprovedRon and FundraTRD[OP] like this.
  3. Dec 31, 2020 at 11:20 AM
    #3
    TXTundra2722

    TXTundra2722 Pipe Hitters Union

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    I second the above statement. If you need to disconnect or mess with anything electrical then disconnect your battery next time and that will negate this issue. Good luck!
     
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  4. Dec 31, 2020 at 12:33 PM
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    blackdemon_tt

    blackdemon_tt Battery Slayer

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    Once you're done with that, I would suggest you take your truck to a local autoparts store, or if you have an obd2 reader check the obd 2, make sure that bad boy is working. Nothing worse then being stranded and figuring out at that point in time that the obd2 is unresponsive. Check all other lights and electronics as well.
     
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  5. Dec 31, 2020 at 12:45 PM
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    FundraTRD

    FundraTRD [OP] New Member

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    Thank you, as for the wire/plug at this point I don’t want to keep the controller plugged in, ok to electrical tape it and securely (away from metal) under there. At this point if I take the fuse out, it would not have power running there anymore? Or how does that work

    (please excuse my lack of knowledge or I’m not asking correctly) and thanks again everyone
     
  6. Dec 31, 2020 at 12:54 PM
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    blackdemon_tt

    blackdemon_tt Battery Slayer

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    Yes, exactly that. Wrap it up with electrical tape and it should be fine, if you can disconnect that pigtail so its not just handing there uselessly, then do that, and drop it in the glovebox or console where you can locate it when you need it.

    LOL, you reminded me of a time someone mickey moused my intercooler fan on my MR2 and the prongs came off the plug and made contact sparking a small fire right over my thigh... while driving and trying not to hit oncoming traffic or rip out my front bumper. while trying not to catch fire all at the same time.. No big deal from there... it was funny after the fact..
     
  7. Dec 31, 2020 at 1:02 PM
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    FundraTRD

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  8. Dec 31, 2020 at 1:03 PM
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    Eaganite

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    Electrical tape and secure, should be fine to just set unused. But if you have indeed fried a fuse I'm sure you'll need to replace it. Almost all fuses supply current to more than one thing, whatever else is on that circuit wouldn't work if fuse is fried.

    Good luck.
     
  9. Dec 31, 2020 at 1:22 PM
    #9
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

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    The information I am finding shows that the Tekonsha uses a different part number for the 2007 Tundra, because the truck should be pre-wired for a brake controller (as long as the truck had the towing package).

    https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-prodigy-p3-brake-controller-2007-toyota-tundra-90195.aspx

    Part number 3040-P for the wiring adapter.

    Also see attached Toyota wiring diagram.

    Looks like there should be a 30A Tow Brake fuse (in the main engine bay), as well the 15A Taillight fuse (in the instrument fuse box) that could potentially be the ones that are blown depending on which contact shorted out.
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Dec 31, 2020 at 1:45 PM
    #10
    FundraTRD

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    Ugh what have I done. Well I checked and brakes and turn signals and everything else works normal. Hope it isn’t affecting anything else major I am missing, it does have the tow package that came from the dealer. I don’t usually tow anything at this time so it’s not urgent but I just want to avoid any safety issues and of course fix the issue in case I need it in the future. What would be the best way to find out what fuse is related to this tow brake is there a diagram I could use or would I be better off asking at the auto parts store when I go check that the obd is ok
     
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  11. Dec 31, 2020 at 2:01 PM
    #11
    FundraTRD

    FundraTRD [OP] New Member

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    Oh duh sorry I didn’t see the latest post, thanks for providing me the info sir
     
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  12. Dec 31, 2020 at 2:02 PM
    #12
    FundraTRD

    FundraTRD [OP] New Member

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    Thanks
     
  13. Dec 31, 2020 at 2:08 PM
    #13
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

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    Sure thing. If brake lights and all the rest are working, then you likely just popped the tow brake fuse in the engine bay.

    For sure check out the ODB connector with an engine code reader at the auto parts store to be sure it didn't do anything there, but you're probably fine.
     
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  14. Dec 31, 2020 at 3:06 PM
    #14
    FundraTRD

    FundraTRD [OP] New Member

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    Pulled the 30A short fuse and indeed it is toast
     
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  15. Dec 31, 2020 at 6:49 PM
    #15
    FundraTRD

    FundraTRD [OP] New Member

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    Update

    firstly thank you all for helping and special shout out to the @RainMan_PNW

    was the fuse 30A short low profile, replaced it, plugged the obd reader and it reads/powers on, plugged the tow brake control back in and it powers on. Hopefully that’s that. Pulled it back out and carefully electrical taped up the wire connector and zipped tied it safely away and away from metal. Was a good learning experience. Will for sure be more careful in the future. Thank you all again and wishing everyone a safe end to this crazy year, and a great 2021.
     
    RainMan_PNW likes this.

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