tekonsha brake controller problems
McQue
Reg. Apr 2008
Posted 2009-02-22 3:00 PM (#99898)
Subject: tekonsha brake controller problems


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Posts: 6

Location: Ogdensburg , wi, 54962

Hi,  I have a tekonsha pilot (digital) brake contoller.  After hauling my trailer and unhooked it, I noticed my brake controller is still reading as if it was still hooked up to the trailer. I apply the truck brakes and the numbers come up in the diplay (though the numbers are higher than when the trailer is hooked up).  Never had a problem with it before this. Any ideas? Thank you.

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chadsalt
Reg. Nov 2004
Posted 2009-02-22 3:46 PM (#99899 - in reply to #99898)
Subject: RE: tekonsha brake controller problems


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Location: sc

Sounds like its broken to me. 

Also sounds like a good time to get rid of that dangerous time base POS brake controller and buy one that will actually stop the trailer in an emergency.

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BigT
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2009-02-22 3:57 PM (#99901 - in reply to #99898)
Subject: RE: tekonsha brake controller problems


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Posts: 402
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Location: Lockport, Illinois		Try unplugging the unit (the plug on the back) for a couple of minutes. This should reset the unit.
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deranger
Reg. Jan 2004
Posted 2009-02-24 9:54 AM (#100056 - in reply to #99899)
Subject: RE: tekonsha brake controller problems


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Location: Hagerstown, MD
Originally written by chadsalt on 2009-02-22 4:46 PM

Sounds like its broken to me. 

Also sounds like a good time to get rid of that dangerous time base POS brake controller and buy one that will actually stop the trailer in an emergency.

I have a Prodigy on my Super Duty and it has always performed flawlessly.  I've been really happy with the unit since it was installed quite a few years ago.  Several friends have them on their trucks and one reason I bought mine is because one of the friends had a lot of good things to say about the Prodigy.  Sounds like you know you something we don't know?  Care to share?

deranger



Edited by deranger 2009-02-24 9:57 AM
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chadsalt
Reg. Nov 2004
Posted 2009-02-24 11:07 AM (#100061 - in reply to #100056)
Subject: RE: tekonsha brake controller problems


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Location: sc
Originally written by deranger on 2009-02-24 9:54 AM

Originally written by chadsalt on 2009-02-22 4:46 PM

Sounds like its broken to me. 

Also sounds like a good time to get rid of that dangerous time base POS brake controller and buy one that will actually stop the trailer in an emergency.

I have a Prodigy on my Super Duty and it has always performed flawlessly.  I've been really happy with the unit since it was installed quite a few years ago.  Several friends have them on their trucks and one reason I bought mine is because one of the friends had a lot of good things to say about the Prodigy.  Sounds like you know you something we don't know?  Care to share?

deranger

 

He has a Pilot, not a Prodigy.

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deranger
Reg. Jan 2004
Posted 2009-02-25 3:38 PM (#100163 - in reply to #100061)
Subject: RE: tekonsha brake controller problems


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So help me understand the difference.  A little education goes a long way.

deranger

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chadsalt
Reg. Nov 2004
Posted 2009-02-25 3:53 PM (#100164 - in reply to #99898)
Subject: RE: tekonsha brake controller problems


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Location: sc		Here is a post of mine from several months ago, I belive genebob did 'convert'.

Originally written by chadsalt on 2008-09-24 6:54 AM

Originally written by genebob on 2008-09-23 10:44 PM

Chad- please explain. I've been using this controller for seven years with a he** of a lot of miles on it. Never had any problems. I guess you could say that may be because I consider myself a safe driver. But .... then again maybe not ... Who knows.

Read here,

http://www.etrailer.com/faq_brakecontroller.aspx

Long story short, it has nothing to do with being a safe driver.......I know plenty of people who have hauled years without brakes and never had a "problem". The simple fact you (and others) use a timer controller puts you in my dangerous driver category.  Nothing personal, I just dont want you behind me.

The basic difference between junk timer controller and proportional is; in an emergency the timer still ramps up brake power in a "normal stop" time frame.......that is no good. The proportional controllers will respond with max brake power immediately when the emergency calls for it. How would you feel if your truck took 5-10 seconds to get full braking power? The wreck would be all over by the time the brakes came on full.

Do yourself/us a favor a get a Prodigy or equiv. controller,  you'll notice a difference.  Ive guided many people in the "good controller" search (both on the web and the real world), never a complaint from any of them, most thank me.  A Prodigy can generally be had on Ebay for around $100.

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