Help with brake controller swap (factory P3)

Hey guys. Long time lurker, first time poster. My IBC has completely stopped working. No longer sending a signal to my trailer nor even acknowledging that the trailer is connected. I know I can go round and round with the dealer to get it fixed, but it still won't be a solid braking experience. My first tow last year, I took my TJ to Jeep Jamboree and couldn't stop in time at a stop sign around a curve at the bottom of a mountain. Had the gain at 6 or 7 and stopped about 8-10 feet past the stop sign. Thankful I didn't get in an accident, it was close. That was the first sign of trouble. Since then I've gotten the "Trailer brake controller error Contact dealer" error, and now there's nothing. Long intro to ask this:

How difficult is it to swap out the factory IBC and replace with the P3? I'm relatively handy, but I get a little anxious when it comes to wiring. I've swapped out switches in my Jeep, wired a winch and axle lockers, so I'm not completely helpless. Is this a simple DIY job with what I believe are just these two parts? Appreciate the help!

https://www.etrailer.com/multi-prod...0016&HHYear=2017&HHMake=Toyota&HHModel=Tundra

and

$40 ESP Truck Accessories Brake Controller Mounting Plate for 2014-2019 Toyota Tundra Compatible with Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HP9GH2...colid=1UABBMOV684MI&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

 

Welcome!
My IBC was garbage on my '17 too. I went with the P3 and plug and play harness. Got this ESP piece, looks factory and my trailer brakes are perfect now.
Part#

$75 TP3MNT Brake Controller Dashboard Mounting Kit for Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller in 2014-2019 Toyota Tundra Pickup Truck Models

TP3MNT

 

Hi, it wasn't that difficult. It’s plug and play if you have the correct harness. I attached a video, it should help you out.

https://youtu.be/c1bCw1EzqZg

 

Thanks, man. Did you have to have the dealer flash the PCM or anything?

 

Thanks dude. Appreciate that. Did you have to have the dealer flash the computer or anything after installing?

 

No problem!
Nope, no flash. It just works.
The only difference you notice is the towing screen isn't there anymore in the cluster display.

 

That’s a good brake controller but is sold elsewhere for about $130 so don’t pay the $210 etrailer wants for it.

 

Not at all, After my install, just like the video to disconnect the battery to get the code error Display gone and I was all set.
You’ll enjoy the P3, I still need to read the manual, lol.

 

X2, totally look around .

 

Second that. Further, if I did it successfully, it's got the lowest common denominator box checked.

 

No for me. It was plug and play.

 

Thanks everyone. Just so I'm clear, before I drop any coin, the fact that my break controller is just flat no longer sending a signal is a result of the IBC being a POS and not something else in the truck right? Any wires I need to test?

As an aside, I hooked up my trailer to my neighbor's truck last night and everything worked fine. When connected to my truck, there are no brakes and no dash feedback (IBC screen, gain settings, etc....nothing).

 

I know there’s a flash for our systems for an IBC that’s malfunctioning/not working at full force. Since yours isn’t even showing one exists, I’d start with the dealer if it’s still under warranty. Look at the sticky thread in the towing section about common issues.

 

Unfortunately, I'm outside of warranty now. Is the flash the TCB that was referenced in another thread?

Side note: checked the stickies and didn't find anything on common issues. Is it in a different spot?

 

I tried finding it too but couldn't.
Here's the TSB. Even though you're out of the 3yr/36K miles, maybe they'll honor it?
Braking while towing seems inadequate

 

Thanks, bud. I printed out this TSB from another thread and will see if they'll honor it at my next service. Regardless, I ordered the P3 (backordered til mid Oct), bracket, and harness today.

 

hey guys. Following up on this. Got my ESP mount and my

$21 3031-P Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller Harness, Compatible with Select Toyota Tacoma, Tundra

3031-P wiring harness, but the Tekonsha P3 90195 is not in stock anywhere. Auto Anything was supposed to ship yesterday then pushed shipment to mid November. Anyone who does have it in stock is selling for over $200. Believe I can use the 3031-P harness with the Primus IQ. Will the IQ fit in the ESP P3 mount? Lastly, can anyone comment whether the IQ works as well as the P3? I have a trip coming up in a couple weeks, and my factory IBC is not recognizing the trailer. I need a solution ASAP. Thinking of going with IQ in the meantime til I can find a P3. Appreciate the help!

 

hey guys. Following up on this. Got my P3 ESP mount and my

$21 Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller Harness, Compatible with Select Toyota Tacoma, Tundra

3031-P wiring harness, but the Tekonsha P3 90195 is not in stock anywhere. Auto Anything was supposed to ship yesterday then pushed shipment to mid November. Anyone who does have it in stock is selling for over $200. Problem is that I have a trip coming up in a couple weeks towing my Jeep, and my factory IBC is not recognizing the trailer. I need a solution ASAP. Believe I can use the 3031-P harness with the P2 or Primus IQ which both appear to be in stock. Will the P2 or IQ fit in the ESP P3 mount? Lastly, can anyone comment whether the IQ or P2 work as well as the P3? Thinking of going with one or the other in the meantime til I can find a P3. Appreciate the help!

 

The 3031-p harness should fit the P2. The P2 will not fit the ESP P3 mount. Have you thought about a Curt Echo, which is a smartphone controlled brake controller?

Here's a listing for a p3 - (I don't know anything about the vendor)
https://www.bigcountrysportinggoods...-for-1-to-4-axle-trailers-proportional-90195/

 

P3 is actually overkill for whatever you’ll be towing with a Tundra. I used one pulling 35’ trailer but for anything under 10K lbs, a Primus IQ is plenty.

 

Fair. I like the control settings of the P3 way better, and I like to future proof myself. Also, the cleanliness of the install is important to me. Because I'm putting it in the spot where the factory one will be coming out of I want it to look nice.
Don't seem to be any good running options in that space for the IQ. Will the IQ fit the P3 mount?

 

I seriously doubt it as they’re shaped quite differently.

 

In a similar boat upgrading from stock but only because I don’t feel like I’m getting proper performance from the IBC.

My P3 I ordered from AutoAnything earlier this month also got updated to November delivery. I ordered it from Amazon on Monday and it came today. Cancelled my AA order. Looks like it’s out of stock at Amazon again though.

My advice is to keep checking. I didn’t order from Amazon previously because it was out of stock but got lucky when I checked on Monday. I just think the trailer craze has everyone buying brake controllers.

 

Glad to know it isn't just me. Saw it on Amazon through a third party sell for $130 on Monday, but it didn't show as New. Sent a note to seller to confirm; but by the time I got a note back from the seller, they were gone. Found it on AutoZone for $140 and got 20% off. Says it will be delivered by next Thursday, but I'm not holding my breath. Just bought one on Amazon (was not in stock most of the day, now it's showing 8) and it shows delivery next Saturday. We shall see. I've also ordered a P2 and an IQ as a backup plan. Just wait...I'll end up with 4; but that's why I pay for Amazon Prime and free returns! One way or another, I'll have a freaking break controller for my trip! haha

 

Yup. I called Earl at ESP (great guy, btw); and he confirmed that they are all different shapes and the P2 requires cutting your dash or buying the whole panel. He doesn't make a plate for the IQ because of it's shape it would require a screw on the front and back to hold in place, and he didn't like the look.

 

jsut re-=read your post - wow it looks like you have 3 potential options

 

Yup. If I can get a damn P3, I'll return all the rest. Ordered the other ones as backup since I keep getting hosed on the P3 order. I'd gladly pay the $140 for the one I just got on Amazon if the thing actually shows up. Difference between you and me is you actually have one. Lol

 

You can always temporarily mount any of them to the dash using 3M double sided automotive tape for the short term.
I have a Primus IQ in the box from when we had the 4Runner (had it as a spare) and if had a cleaner install I'd be using that (even if it attached to the dash) instead of the IBC.

 

Great idea, man. Thanks! On my 17, there's a flat spot on my console to the left of the cigarette lighter plug port and directly below the 4WD knob that would be perfect for a temp mount.

 

Before I got the esp mount, I tried 3m tape and 3m Velcro. Neither worked well. It doesn’t stick to the plastic in our trucks well.