Tekonsha P3 problem

[peter2904 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter2904]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

Testing on this morning on the way into work. Same problem.
Just to make sure, disconnected power wire from breaker for a couple of minutes. Reconnected and went for a drive. Same problem.

It work OK mounted horizontally but not at an angle front to back. I have spend a lot of time testing everything and had enough. Time to send it back.

Peter

[zerosecta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zerosecta]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

Hi Peter,

FYI - I sent an email to Support and this is the response I recieved:

Gavin,
Thank you for contacting Technical Support. In response to your email, it sounds like the P3 brake control unit could have a bad accelerometer. If you were moving and the display ramped to 5.9 volts each time you released and depressed the brake pedal, I would have the brake controller replaced under its lifetime warranty. You can take the unit back to the dealer you purchased it from and have the unit replaced under warranty. Keep in mind if you go to your local dealer, the warranty only covers the brake control unit. It does not cover labor or installation of the new unit. If you have any questions or need further assistance feel free to write back or contact us at (888) 785-5832.
Technical Support Group
(888) 521-0510

So it appears they have a generic responce for this problem as I think this is almost the identical responce that one of the guys paste on your myswag thread that they'd recieved from them for the same problem. - Clearly it is a recognised issue by Tenkoshy and happy to see that they are acknoledgeing it by offering a solution\replacement, unlike certain car manufactures behave when there are issues with thier products like small mudflaps :-)

I contacted the ebay seller who sold me mine and he's offered for me to wait out the 2-3week process or a refund when he recieves my unit back - I'll be opting for a refund and before purchasing a replacement I'll be asking sellers for batch, serial, or version numbers to try get one from a differant batch as it looks to me like a faulty batch of accelerometers.

Good Luck

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

This appears to be a 150 problem as there are heaps of PP members with a P3 installed in a 120 with no problems.

[zerosecta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zerosecta]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

This appears to be a 150 problem as there are heaps of PP members with a P3 installed in a 120 with no problems.

.

No - I think its a product problem as I have put a neighbours P3 in my 150 and it works 100% as it should so this rules out the 150series Prado as the problem or the angular mounting location or the fact that I have it installed with brake signal from the Brake switch (Purple wire BTW) rather than running a wire all the way to the break light bulb (Why you would do this???)

I havent tried mine in his car as his mounting is pretty much horizontal and we already know this sorts the problem out - So I would put it down to Tenkoshi somewhere along the line changing the accelerometer they use and it would appear that the one they use now does'nt like being installed at an angle as it should.

[al_brisvegas Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close al_brisvegas]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

Hi Peter,

Your post is pretty timely. I am having exact same problem with the exact same setup. I have 150 DiD (White with ARB bar as well!) towing a Jayco Dove Outback with a P3. The P3 came out of my 120 and has never faulted, as was installed pretty well horizontal. I have the P3 installed in the 150 far to the right of the dash (over the Idle up button) to avoid the airbag and it is nearly vertical. And same issue as you Peter, seems to spike the full power when braking slowly or around 60klm's etc. I have used a mates old Prodigy, taping it to the same bracket, sitting vertical and works perfect. My P3 in his car works fine and it worked fine in my 120.

So I agree it seems that the angle of the P3 is the problem. I will test it horizontal to be sure, but where on the dash is the challenge, no room anywhere. Or I just ditch it and buy some cheap thing that works.

Cheers Al.

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

This appears to be a 150 problem as there are heaps of PP members with a P3 installed in a 120 with no problems.

I have a 120, and this problem occurred with my Tekonsha P3.
Swapped over for a new unit under warranty and all is good again.
Agree it's likely a bad batch of P3's.

[peter2904 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter2904]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

The serial numbers of both units I had problems with are:
#P3A0004616
#P3A0009910

[zerosecta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zerosecta]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

Problem unit Serial on My end

#P3A0007327
90195A

[peter2904 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter2904]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

Send my P3 back. Derek (ABR Sidewinder) offered a refund. Would have preferred a working P3 but given both my original and replacement had the same fault, I accepted the offer..

Decision time - Have the money but what to buy?
Finally decided on a Tekonsha Prodigy (90185) as I had one of these in my previous vehicle. I know I could get a P3 for the same $, but wanted something that is reliable.

Just mounted the Prodigy using the same holes in the dash and plugged in the same cable as used for the P3 (same plug used on Prodigy as P3 so no wiring changed).

Test results:
It works!!!! Heavy braking it goes to maximum output (as set) then back to a low voltage once vehical has stopped. Repeated about 8-time and perfect every time.

So how many potentially faulty P3's are out there? Recommend all P3 owners do the test before they tow again.


NOTE: Tekonsha have new Prodogy (90885) on their web site. Decided to get the old model while it is still available as
I was worried the new model might used the similar electronics to the P3 (and possible have the same issue).

[Nifty07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nifty07]

Re: Tekonsha P3 problem

I am looking to remove the card holder in the glove box and mount the P3 in its spot. Has anyone worked out how to remove the inner bits to the card holder. Seems to be two bits but I could not work out how to remove them without damaging anything.

Can anyone tell me where to connect the red (stop light) wire from the P3?

Ta,

Nifty...

[peter2904 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter2904]

Glove box does not seem like a good idea. You cannot get to the manual knob under the P3 in a hurry.
Also some people have suggested the P3 needs to be powered on when in the final mounting angle. Opening/closing glove box would change the angle of the P3 and possiblly upset things.