Sprinkler System Won't Switch Zones

[@larsdiversified3663]

Links for replacement parts at The Home Depot: 5 zone replacement cam: www.homedepot.com/p/FIMCO-5-Zone-Replacement-Cam-9223SP/202524192 Cam cover and o-ring: www.homedepot.com/p/FIMCO-Cam-Cover-and-O-Ring-9218/202524332

[@nicholasgoddard9878]

Stumbled on this when my sprinkler would not change zones. Thanks so much for the easy to follow tutorial!

[@alexalonzo7955]

Wanted to drop a comment to thank you. Thanks to this video I was able to see what was wrong with my system. Much appreciated! If you were my neighbor I would buy you a 12 pack!

[@Rojs011]

Easy job, thanks. Please change video description to “ sprinkle “

[@larsdiversified3663]

Thanks, Done!

[@step6477]

Ok, so I almost paid my handy man $150 to replace my timer and it wasn't the timer. Thank God I found your video. You also did and excellent job of explaining what to do. Thank you!

[@dinisteles8422]

Thanks for the great video, very useful! In my case, the cam piece was ok but the chamber had a number of snails and debris that probably were obstructing the system. Removed them with tweezers and now all the zones are working. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[@19draper63]

Easy to follow and clear video. Went outside removed the 4 screws and the piston was sticking. Reassembled and it works. Thanks.

[@linco-w3b]

Thank you so much. It is not only that they charge ridiculous amount of money...But you have to wait for them, when ever they want to come. God Bless you.

[@JamesBond-sr7fw]

The Standard Valve Stem and Disc Assembly for Low Flow has a little protrusion at the top that makes the stem turn on the selector plate. That little protrusion breaks from the force of the water. When it breaks the stem won’t turn and the system stays in one zone. You can see it at the top when he pulls the little cap. Home Depot sells that piece for 26 bucks. I broke three of these parts until I added some j b weld to that protrusion. The designer should have put rounds on that little section to beef it up.

[@snipex2000]

Thanks for the video. My cam is sticking...and it leaks form the top. I will check home depot for the parts.

[@aerostaraircraftsanctuary604]

Good video! This looks just like my unit. Very helpful.

[@robertrlondono2838]

Thank you so much for your video 🙏

[@dawavecraver]

Thanks for the video. on my 3 zone system, the fourth pipe that is not a zone has slits in it and water runs out of it continuously while the sprinkler is running on any of the zones. is that normal

[@larsdiversified3663]

No this is not normal. This means the valve is not closing completely. The valve could be bad or there could be some debris (such as a small rock) stuck in the valve. The first step would be to remove the top of the valve and flush it out.

[@dawavecraver]

@@larsdiversified3663 Thank you and thanks for the quick reply. if I May, one more question on this, if I remember correctly the none zone pipe with the slits in it used to have a little water squirt out when the system was changing zones,,, is that true or is there supposed to be no water at any time coming out of that none zone pipe.. Thanks again, I will try what you suggested and remove the top of the valve and see what I can see.

[@larsdiversified3663]

@@dawavecraverIt is normal to see a small amount of water when the value indexes to the next zone. It is not normal if water continues to flow after the valve has switched zones.

[@dawavecraver]

@@larsdiversified3663 excellent, thank you

[@arnoldrodriguez3803]

So I have 11 zones in my system. My system runs off of a shallow well with a 2 Hp pump. System comes on fine with timer and works great until it reaches zone # 8. At that point pressure drops dramatically in zone #8 and only a small stream comes from one or two of that zones heads. I then go to my well pump and crack the threaded bleeder on top of the impeller housing. air bubbles will then come out and within a minute or two zone #8 will pressurize and come to life. The system will then finish off the remaining watering cycle without a hitch. Next day this same problem will repeat. What might I check in my system? Thanks

[@larsdiversified3663]

It seems that your Zone 8 valve might now be opening fully thus causing the weak flow of water that only starts to operate 1 or 2 heads. Releasing the pressure on the bleed valve seem to cause the zone to open fully (ie. change of pressure)1. What type of valve/selector system are you using? Don't know of any 11 zone systems in my area. Also, if you let in run while zone 8 is now working properly, will if start working on its own? Is there any break/missing head(s) in Zone 8 that might introduce air into the system?

[@snipex2000]

thanks for the video...I have the same valve (3zone).

[@hothmobile100]

What part of Florida?

[@875daily]

Hey Lars, i replaced both parts and i still can’t get water to come out of the sprinklers. I have a 4 zone system. I hear the water in the pipe so maybe pressure valve? Do you have a video on that ?

[@ytcane6326]

Did you lose prime? Do you have a hose valve on your sprinkle/valve area? If so connect a hose to and turn on the hose and then open the valve to let water into the sprinkler system. Let this run for several minutes. Then close the valve and turn off the hose. Now give the sprinkler/pump another try. If this doesn't work post pictures of your system.

[@875daily]

@@ytcane6326 no i don’t have a hose hook up. it’s the old time clock with dial and pins for days of the week. thanks for the reply

[@ricklucy24]

Hi..is the center piece sticking up supposed to be able to spin 360..seems mine is stuck on 90 degrees back and forth

[@stevenalterman5912]

Hi ricklucy, yes, the center piece that is sticking up through the cam is supposed to go all the way around and the cam piece determines where it stops for the next zone. If yours is not moving correctly, you probably have a small pebble or debris stuck in the valve. Try jiggling the center piece and hit it with the spray from the hose to break it free. -Steve

[@ricklucy24]

@stevenalterman5912 yes .removed the 6 screws on the for lack of a better name..mechanism. was a small rock in there . Removed it and works fine now!! Thanks for the quick response

[@darleenfenster6704]

I changed both parts, but it still is not switching zones and now it is leaking from the indexing valve. I thought about changing that, but it involves pic and cutting that. Is there anything else I should do to fix the switching zones and leaks? Thank you

[@larsdiversified3663]

Remove the cap and check to see if there is any debris stuck around the cam piece. I've seen little bits of coral rock here in Florida. Where is it leaking? Is it between the top plate of the valve house and the bottom housing? if so, check the top part of the housing closely, they often develop cracks. You may need to look for the crack while the system is running. You can buy the top housing at HomeDepot are replace it without any cutting of the pipes. You would loosen the collar on the connector and then remove the 8 large stainless steel screws.

[@darleenfenster6704]

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciated your video. I am a 75 year old widow and try to do most fixing when I can. I rely on these helpful videos to teach me how to fix things. I will check for cracks. It seemed that the piece that pops up was stuck when I went to replace the cam pieces. I sprayed it with silicone spray and hoped that would fix it. I will keep trying. Thank you for your help,.

[@PositiveROI]

When going from a 6 zone to 4 zone, does it matter what zones get deleted?

[@larsdiversified3663]

Can you be little bit more specific about what you are trying to do? Not sure what you mean by the question, Steve

[@russellcarron8459]

Where can you get the parts I've looked everywhere

[@carbuying]

HomeDepot sells all the repair parts. Their website has a section call "Sprinkler Repair."

[@Nedinho23]

What if your sprinkler system is not from the Cold War era?

[@patrickkhoury9991]

Hi bro,im facing a problem that all zones are coming together with low pressure(i tried to test every zone but the same issue)what could it be and thank u.

[@larsdiversified3663]

Sounds like the valve zone selector is either broken or jammed in a position where its letting water go to all zones at once. The top cover of the valve can be removed. Take it off and take a look in there.

[@OGRH]

Drill a hole and drive a stainless bolt that is the same length/diameter as the rod.

[@joevio4375]

"Hope he shows up when he says he's going to show up" but add if he shows up at all.

[@kiddoutlaw600]

I have the same one it’s leaking bad

[@carbuying]

Make sure that the o-ring is installed and in good condition. Also, I have seen where the top piece of the valve housing has developed a hair line crack that can only be seen under pressure when the pump is running. Take a very careful look where the water in leaking from while the pump is running.

[@nicholasabadiotakis2655]

thanks, found a dead lizard in my valve, once removed system back to normal

[@sprinklerdude9768]

That will do it.

[@rikmiles6531]

I have this indexing valve in the house I just bought. These things are awful. I thought they stopped using this junk 30 years ago. I can’t wait to convert this to electric valves. The best way to fix these is to take a hacksaw and cut them off at ground level and start fresh.