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Replacing 2018 factory brake controller with Prodigy P3

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by hpeeler, Feb 18, 2022.

  1. Feb 18, 2022 at 1:31 PM
    #1
    hpeeler

    hpeeler [OP] New Member

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    For those of you who have replaced the factory brake controller with the P3, did you have any issues unplugging the factory controller and leaving it unplugged? There is still no plug and play harness available for the 2018 so it will have to be wired in the old fashioned way. Did anyone experience any issues with that? Mine is out of warranty and don’t want to go to the dealership for a 2nd replacement.

    Long update below…
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2022
    24MANR1 likes this.
  2. Feb 19, 2022 at 6:32 AM
    #2
    parkerbows

    parkerbows New Member

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    Amazon.com: Hopkins 47816 Plug-in Simple Brake Control Connector : Automotive
     
  3. Feb 19, 2022 at 6:35 AM
    #3
    WVI

    WVI New Member

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    eTrailer may have wht you need and they poften have videos of instals, from easy to simple.
     
  4. Mar 1, 2022 at 9:54 AM
    #4
    hpeeler

    hpeeler [OP] New Member

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    LONG UPDATE…I called etrailer and Tekonsha and both of them confirmed there is not a pre wired harness available for the 2018 (and I assume later) Tundras. The tech guy from Tekonsha sent me a wiring diagram to explain how to wire up the p3 controller. His diagram showed tapping into the brake light at the left taillight and tapping into the brake wire at the module under the hood. Having removed the factory controller, I installed the p3 in place of the factory controller using the esp truck assessories mounting kit. I wired the p3 as instructed and it appeared to be working but the brake signal was not transferring to the trailer. I also had several messages flashing on the dash, pre collision warning, trailer brake warning, 4wd lights flashing. So I called Tekonsha again and the tech said it sounds like the controller is picking up a signal from somewhere and to disconnect the brake wire from the module and run it to the 7 way plug at the back of the truck, disconnect the factory brake wire there and connect the p3 at the plug. This worked as far as activating brakes on the trailer but I still had the trailer brake warning message and the adaptive cruise showed “not available”.
    Off to the dealership to see if they can disable the warnings on the dash and they said as long as the factory controller was removed there was no way to diagnose that message. Ok so I’ll have to live with it. On the way home it dawned on me to plug the factory controller back in since the p3 is direct wired to try and fool the truck into thinking it was there. So I did and the messages went away and the p3 brake controller works properly. I hid the factory controller behind the dash, and everything is working as it should.
    Sorry for the long explanation, but I’ve learned that there is life after the factory brake controller. I have 4 trailers in my business and had trouble with all of them at one time or another with the factory controller.
    Hope this helps someone.
     
  5. Oct 23, 2023 at 8:56 AM
    #5
    24MANR1

    24MANR1 New Member

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    Thank you Hpeeler! I was having the same exact issue with my 2018. I did everything you did and was thinking to plug in the stock brake controller in hopes that it would remove the warning signs on the dash.
    Now all I have to do is buy a new one because I broke and threw away the old one.
     

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