Brake Controller

  I agree with you and am considering it should be replaced but I am thinking what the factory representative had asked me which was several questions. He had asked me if our truck has been used to jump start another vehicle or have I done any changes to the trucks electrical system my answer was no. But after I talked with him I remembered the truck was in for three recalls and remember one and maybe more they had to reprogram the truck. I leave the controller in the truck all the time connected to the electrical system. Maybe that had something to do with it maybe disconnecting the controller which has not been done in possibly three years and that disconnecting the controller yesterday allowed the controller to be reset. I thought the tech at tropic trailer was correct but I found out he was wrong and now I am thinking the tech from the manufacture is correct that I should continue to use the controller. I am trying to process all the information and be patient to hopefully make the right decision. I have learned that the electronics in the controller are sensitive and can be affected by changes in the trucks electrical system. But I am leaning more now to go ahead and replace but there may be a chance it will be OK maybe agreeing with the factory tech. I will give it more thought I put safety as a priority I think in time I will make the right decision. I thank everyone for their help that's why I have stayed with this forum there has been so much helpful information from everyone. Perhaps what has happened to our controller will be helpful to someone else to understand the electronics of a controller.

+1 to mcarter, despite what Tekonsha says defending their unit I would replace the P2 with a new one. Having to constantly worry and watch that your existing one doesn't smoke your brakes again isn't worth the replacement cost. Worse yet, it might distract you at a critical moment and end up causing an accident. 

Info from etrailer. The P2 # 90885 will be easier to learn on and use than the P3, # 90195 initially. The P3 has several features the P2 doesn't including the ability to change the LED screen color, change the language, and the biggest difference is the diagnostics. Instead of flashing a code you would have to look at the P3 has clear messages telling you what the problem is.

I found a couple of e trailer responses stating that the p2 has an accelerometer. So, I think you're on the right track to call Tekonsha and ask to speak to a tech about it to get a definitive answer. I called them once on how their electric over hydraulic mode works and they were very helpful.

Originally posted by David and Danette  I did a internet search and the Tekonsha P-2 does have a Pendulum and I think GlueGuy you are maybe right and I have it mounted at too much of a angle never had this problem before and maybe I did hit it with my knee and the pendulum got stuck. I don't know but it is mounted in a fixed position maybe a jolt caused the pendulum to get stuck. It seems strange after several years this happened I may need to replace it like Furpod said it is not worth the risk of something serious happening.

Where did you see that the P2 has a pendulum? That is very old tech, I can’t imagine it would use that, it costs more and is less reliable. Everything I’ve seen indicates that the P2 uses a solid state accelerometer (like your smartphone has). It is capable of being mounted in any position as long as it is kept level side to side. That indicates that it can measure accelerations in two axes (along its length and depth but not it’s width). I use a P2 and nave it mounted nearly vertical, work fine.