Just got a new '12 Jayco Swift SLX 184BH last weekend. TV is '04 Chevy Suburban. Controller is Prodigy P2 (worked flawlessly on old trailer, 30 footer, and TV, Toyota Tundra, as of last Saturday).
Picked up the 184BH last Saturday and took it on a quick overnight to check things out. All lights work properly on the trailer. The brake controller would activate trailer brakes with the manual lever but not the TV brake pedal. Light trailer heavy TV so I wasn't too concerned and assumed it was a bad connection or I was not doing something properly in the setup (didn't have the directions with me).
Went to get trailer out of storage tonight and controller just showed ".." which indicates no trailer connected (all lights still working). If I pushed the manual lever I got "P.L." which indicates "Power interruption while brake pedal is depressed".
Figured no problem I'd take it home and tinker with it. 20-25 minute drive home. Step out and hear the trailer brakes humming (never heard this before). Wheels and center caps are super hot to the touch. This can't be good. I don't think they were fully locked up because I never felt any resistance while towing.
Check the breakaway and it is connected properly.
1. Do you think I've caused any damage to the brakes?
2. Any ideas on a DIY fix? Preferably tonight
7 pin connection doesn't look corroded but thinking about taking it apart and rewiring. Blue wire (brakes) is connected to the right place on the TV side. Just ran to WalMart and picked up a multimeter to test it (if I can figure out how to use it).
Disconnect TT battery. Careful, it may/will arc. Still make noise? If so, unplug TV from TT. Noise gone? If not, I give up. One of above should work. If it was mine, and it wasn't far, I'd then tow it home and find the short or whatever.
FYI if Prodigy lever works, but not foot brake, the wire from the Prodigy to the brake switch is missing or miswired. If wired to wrong side of brake switch, it might cause your problem. You'll know because disconnecting TV would stop humming.
Chuck
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Did you install the controller yourself. If you purchased the pigtail to use to install the controller that plugs into the plug box inside the TV driverside firewall what year model did the pigtail show it was for? If a shop did it verify they used the right year model pigtail. Chevrolet changed the wiring harness on the Sliverados starting in 2003 (first year model of change) and may have done the same to the Suburbans. Make sure you have the right harness. I have a 2003 Silverado and received a warning bulletin shortly after purchasing the truck but before buying the pigtail. I believe the bulletin stated that when the headlamps or park lamps are on, the brakes on the trailer are always applied, or that the back lighting for the trailer brake controller only illuminates when the brakes are applied. There may have been a couple other things that may occur between the brakes and lights not working properly, I'll have to see if I can find the bulletin.
While looking at pigtails at Walmart I saw some indicated they were good up through 2003 which is not correct and there could be harnesses out there being sold that have incorrect info on the packaging. I got mine through the Chevy dealer using the part no. in the bulletin. It included the 7 way to 4 flat adapter and the fuse that was necessary to install in the fuse panel under the hood.
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Score one for mobeewan. I bought the plug and play pigtail at Camping World. Can't remember (and threw the package away) exactly what it said but I think it was '04-'07 GM vehicles.
I'm pretty sure it's a bad harness. Two issues: 1. checking the back of the Prodigy to make sure it was plugged in and started getting a reading. Jiggling one wire allows it to recognize the trailer and I can use the manual lever for braking again (still no braking on the trailer with the TV brake pedal).
2. You're right about the lights. Brakes hum with the TV park/head lights on. They don't with them off.
That explains why there was no heating until tonight. First run was all during daylight so brakes okay. Dark after I picked it up from storage tonight.
There are no markings on the pigtail except for a tag with "12/11/2011". You'd think they would have figured it out by now.
Thanks everyone for the help. Off to get another harness tomorrow. Yep - apparently I need the "battery feed fuse" as well to charge the trailer battery via the TV (scratching head wondering why it's not already there).
Look at this thread on gm-trucks.com forum post no. 6 explains what I was referring to about the bulletin. This was an earlier bulletin prior to my purchase in April 2003. I got a later bulletin more specific to 2003 model.
Found the bulletin (UI Bulletin #57). Google is my friend.
"Condition
Some customers may comment that when the
headlamps or park lamps are on, the brakes on the
trailer are always applied, or that the back lighting for the
trailer brake controller only illuminates when the brakes
are applied."
"Cause
The cause of this condition may be due to wiring
changes within the vehicle electrical system for the
2003 model year."
I've got an '04 but apparently still got a bad harness.
Capsone, It may be obvious to you already.... but not sure from your posts. Outside of the Chevy wiring issue... The Prodigy will not apply braking power to the trailer by pushing the brake pedal while you are sitting still. Only by the lever. The Prodigy relies on inertia of the vehicle slowing to activate.
I had a Duh moment one time while having the trailer inspected here in VA. I kept pushing the brake pedal but the trailer tires kept spinning.... then the light went on in my head and I hit the lever.
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