Trailer brake controllers and melted wires

Hi all,

I am having a serious problem with my new 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport. I bought a trailer brake controller (Tekonsha P3) and 3017-P wiring harness and installed it in my truck as per instructions. A week later, the wires in the truck just upstream of the factory plug melted and destroyed the adjacent wires all the way into my dash and beyond. Now, two weeks later, Toyota is blaming me and charging me almost $5000 to fix it. I asked if they made a controller for the truck, and they told me no. This means they sell a connection plug (that I paid for as part of the towing package) that they do not make a part for and that clearly isn't compatible with other after market parts. To me that smells like fraud. Have any of you you heard of, seen, or had experience with with? I am at a total loss as far as how to fight this, as the dealership and Toyota have placed the blame on me. I don't buy it though- something is wrong with the wiring in the truck or with the controller, but Toyota hasn't even done a thorough investigation and has already blamed me.... Help Please if you can !

 

Welcome to TW! Ouch, sounds like a bad situation. Hopefully someone with more expertise will chime in with some positive light to shed, but since you installed the aftermarket component yourself I'm not sure what can be done.

 

I would bring all components to a state certified automotive electrical shop and have them inspect the harness and controller- either Toyota or Tekonsha and the brake harness adapter maker you used messed up on the wiring and you could use small claims court to be reimbursed if an issue is found in their fault. As you most likely did, I put mine in my truck as per all instructions and it should have been a no brainer as it’s just plug and play.