Repair and tune your system with the following tips.

System will not stop running

What to do

Sometimes one or more zones may run at the same time. First thing to do is to stop wasting water.

1. Turn Controller off and check the settings.
2. Turn Sprinkler Main Valve off. It is usually located near the water meter or well tank.
3. If you can't find the Sprinkler Main Valve, go to the Backflow Device and shut the system off there. Usually it will have two shut off valves.

Possible cause:

If this is the first time that your system is running this year, it is possible that a Manual Valve Bleeder was left on during winterization. If this is the case, simply locate the Valve Box containing the Solenoid Valve and shut the Manual Valve Bleeder off.

Click here to see manual bleeder locations

One of the most common causes of non-stop water is incorrect controller program settings. If this is the case, the system will stop watering when the control is shut off or unplugged.

A valve Solenoid may have shorted. This has been a recent trouble with Weathermatic Solenoid Valve. In this case, you will need to call for service.

There may be Debris in the Solenoid Valve. In this case the Solenoid Valve must be disassembled and the debris must be flushed from the system.

There may be damage to the control wire. If you have had some work done in the yard lately, it is possible that some of the wires have been crossed by chafing.

If all zones are running at the same time and the Manual Bleeders are not the problem, you may be experiencing a complete valve failure. This problem is usually associated with Toro Flo Pro Solenoid Valve. In this instance, we recommend that the Solenoid Valves be replaced.

Common Programming Errors

Too many start times – Most Controllers offer many start times. If you only want to water one time per day, you only require one start times. Most controllers stack program information.

Overlapping programs– Many controllers offer up to four programs. It is important realize that these programs will run concurrently. If a zone has a run time, a start time and a day to water, it will water regardless of what position you left the controller in. Programs allow us to water different parts of the yard on different schedules.

Run times set to hours– Most controllers give the option of watering for minutes or hours.

Seasonal adjust– Be sure the seasonal adjust is at 100%

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System will not run at all

Getting started         
Was running, but now it won’t
Has it rained lately?
Had any work done at your house lately?
Do you have a pump or master valve?

Has it rained lately
A Rain Sensor will keep your system off for days after it has rained. To see of the rain sensor is the problem, locate the rain sensor bypass switch . Most rain sensors are adjustable for length of cut off as well as amount of rainfall.

Have you had any work done lately?
Sometimes other contractors may have interfered with your systems operation. Interference may be by means of the Control or shutoff valves at the Backflow Device. Control wires may have been severed by excavation. Likely suspects for system interference are painters, lawn crew, landscapers, CATV or even a neighbor.

Pump/master valve
If you have a pump or master valve, they will have to be programmed to run at your controller.

Low water pressure
Leaks
Multiple zones operating
Well water systems
                Filtration
                running out of water

Leaks
The first thing to look for is a leak. You may or may not see it right away. In lawns with thick sod, it may take some time for a leak to appear. It may show itself as a water bubble. You can listen for the sound of running water at the backflow prevention device.

Multiple zones watering
If two or more zones are running at the same time, the cause may be,
A defective solenoid valve– call for service
A defective solenoid– call for service
Debris in the solenoid valve– try cleaning the valve or call for service
Damaged control wires– call for service
Solenoid valve bleeder may be left on

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Low Water Pressure

Wells
Filter
Running out of water

Filter Cleaning

Running out of water

A good sprinkler system is designed to operate on your specific well. Several situations can occur that can cause your system to run out of water. The first indication that your well is running out of water is law water pressure and water overflowing out of the top of the backflow prevention device. Don’t worry. Your well will recover. The supply has not kept up with the demand.

What to do

1. Shut off the sprinkler main valve.
2. Do not run any water in the house for at least half an hour.

1. Improper control settings (navigate to common control programming errors)
2. Two or more valves running at the same time. (navigate to multiple zones watering)
3. You may have a leak. (navigate to leaks)

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No Display on Controller

If the control display is blank when you look at it, but lights up when you touch a button or dial, You probably don’t have power to that outlet. You can check for power by plugging something else into the outlet. Most of the time, the problem is a tripped GFI. Many times the GFI breaker may be on another outlet that is close by. You can also check for a tripped breaker (at your electric panel).
The following controllers contain fuses: Hunter SRC, Toro Vision 1, Toro ECX and Greens keeper.

Note
Many controllers contain a back up battery that will allow programing (with display) without a  110 volt supply. If this is the case, the display will go blank if left alone after a few minutes. The system will not operate without a 110  volt power supply.

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