Electric brake problem :(

[Recumbentman]

All hook-up and ready to go camping for the weekend (sixth time this year) and I notice that I am not getting any signal from my prodigy brake controller. I go to the back of the TV and pull the connector out and wipe it clean, re-insert it and check again. still no signal. go back pull connector again and spray both ends with WD40. re-connect and still no signal. un-hook the controller from the wiring harness and re-connect, only get the NC signal. decide to tow the PU without the trailer brakes. maintain safe speed and distance going and returning. Get home and connect PU to second TV. Take the controller out of first TV and place it into second TV. what do you know still no signal. Now this tells me that both TV are not the problem. must be in the PU itself. this weekend I'll pull the PU connector apart to look for any loose wire's. My question is what else should I be looking at. The wire connections to the brakes themselves, do I find these under and behind the wheels or do I have to remove the tires and drums to find the wire connections to the brakes??
Thanks for any help !!

[Monterey]

Also don't overlook the fact that the Prodigy may be the issue.  If you know someone with another Prodigy, try hooking that one to your harness and see if you get the same indications.

[AustinBoston]

Also don't overlook the fact that the Prodigy may be the issue.  If you know someone with another Prodigy, try hooking that one to your harness and see if you get the same indications.

I second Monterey's suggestion.  It could be either the trailer wiring or the controller itself.

If you have a multimeter or ohm meter, then with the trailer disconnected from everything and the battery unhooked, measure the resistance at the connector of the electric brake circuit.  My 10" dexter magnets will show about 4.8 ohms.  Others may vary, but they will be in the ballpark (i.e. 20 ohms is too high, 1 ohm is too low).  If you get twice the correct resistance, then one magnet is open or not connected.  

If you get fairly close to 4.8 ohms, then read up on the controller warranty to see if you are still covered.

One more note: the 4.8 ohms may be for one magnet; in which case divide all of the readings above in half.

Austin (hate when I can't remember the details)

[Recumbentman]

Heres an update.
I crawled under the PU last night and found all of the brake wires either pinch or bitten off, don't know which. Now the problem I have is,
The wires coming from the connector are blue and white. I know the blue is my POS. wire. but the wires coming from the brakes themselves are all black. How can I determined which wires are POS. and NEG. ? or does it matter??

thanks

[AustinBoston]

Heres an update.
I crawled under the PU last night and found all of the brake wires either pinch or bitten off, don't know which.

That's a bad sign...maybe you need to check the critter control thread!

Now the problem I have is, The wires coming from the connector are blue and white. I know the blue is my POS. wire. but the wires coming from the brakes themselves are all black. How can I determined which wires are POS. and NEG. ? or does it matter??

If you are sure they are brake wires, it does not matter.  On mine, both wires from each magnet are blue.

BTW, if you have to add/replace wires, use blue wire if possible.  I don't know if it's an official standard, but the apparent standard for trailers is that blue is always the electric brakes.

Austin