Troubleshooting an Irrigation Zone that Won't Activate

What steps should you take when a zone on a sprinkler system won't turn on from the controller? An irrigation zone that won't activate can be frustrating, but by using the steps in this video you can reduce your stress and easily pinpoint the issue.
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[@NotCarlDanger]

I'm lost for words at how straight to the point you got to each step of the process and how I'm still going to find a way to make this project be the bane of my existence through the weekend. If you see a massive jump in numbers for the views, it's probably just going to be me listening to this in my sleep for the next 4 days. Thanks for your effort in explaining everything like I'm a beginner, not an expert, and it being under 5 minutes to keep my attention. You're a gentlemen and a scholar good sir.

[@r8rfateful2kx]

Thanks to your video, I was able to find that my non-working station had an open circuit due to wiring being damaged by the family dog, and re-connected to an open wire that was not in circuit. 30 minutes of troubleshooting and one minute of re-connecting wires, and all stations are running correctly. Thank you so much! 👍

[@rollthers3157]

This is the best video I have found so far for troubleshooting the sprinkler controller with a multimeter. Thanks.

[@StephenGierek]

Thanks to your video, I was able to diagnose and fix a malfunctioning zone this morning. Thank you!

[@joahcarter1782]

That was explained perfectly and clearly . great job, very helpful

[@Sugarboo2010]

Thank you! Awesome explanation of trouble shooting. 😊

[@windsurfed1]

Thank you very much for doing this video it’s saved me Massive headache locate the problem broken wire thank you again

[@richardpaul495]

i hade 17 volts ,and you are the only one to tell me it a controller,thanks thanks

[@swiftbiscuit455]

Fixed my sprinkler system in 10 minutes. Thank you for this video.

[@kaleevans1692]

Great video with awesome troubleshooting steps. Thanks!

[@mrsokool99]

Very nice video as I was able to figure out my issue with the wiring on one of my zones. Appreciate your time to post this. Thank you.

[@ROYALFLUSHyyz]

Nicely laid out sir, my issue was a short, detected from your resistance test.

[@anikamarie4421]

thank you! this saved us a ton of money

[@rayg9618]

Great job - very informative and helpful!

[@robertdaniels1130]

I have a Hunter system that was operating find 2 weeks ago... now zones 1, 2, and 3 are functioning as usual, but zones 4, 5, and 6 are not functioning at all. I have water pressure to these zones because I can turn the solenoid 1/4 - 1/2 turn and the problem zones will operate. Interestingly, the 3 zones that are not operating are all on the same power 'terminal strip', while zones 1, 2, and 3 are on a separate 'terminal strip'. I've gone as far as to move the leads from terminal positions 4, 5, and 6 to terminal positions 7, 8, and 9 (the next terminal strip up, and visually completely separate), but the zones are still not operating... even though the controller indicates that they're in operation. I've been through the steps that you demonstrate in your video, but I'm not getting the 20 - 60 ohms on terminal strips (4, 5, 6) or (7, 8, 9). Could both of these terminal strips have gone bad? Any suggestions are appreciated...

[@David-vm1oq]

thank you for posting your video, I just did troubleshoot my sprinkler valve by guiding me throughout the video and fixed the problem

[@jososin]

Is this the voice of Chris fix, from Chris fix channel?! 😁 😂 🤣

[@BioMedEd]

No wader!

[@engelsrodriguez4581]

😂😂😂

[@relly925]

Maybe 😂

[@777-Phil]

Thumbs up for ideas. My sprinkler does opposite problem: station 7 activates when any other station is turned on.

[@JJ-of3ng]

quite helpful, thanks

[@lindab6901]

very clear explanations

[@jscott17171]

thank you my problem was fixed by turning the valve on the side of the house back on for the back yard sprinkler zone.

[@bailyzeller7921]

Lol

[@americanpatriot2033]

Okay. I performed the test for the voltage of my inactive zone and it showed no volts going to zone five, which is the one in question. You say there's probably a problem with my controller but that's where you leave it and then you move on to test the ohms. Do you have any practical instruction on how to correct the problem within the controller?

[@bailyzeller7921]

Might be too late on this but usually with a simple sprinkler controller if there is something wrong with it on the inside/controls part, the easiest and cheapest fix is to just replace the controller all together.

[@easyjohnny4320]

Thanks for the video! I have 3 zones. Ever since I had a shallow well installed for irrigation, 1 zone is not working. Two are working just fine. On the 3rd zone, the sprinkler heads are not rising completely. I can see water but not enough pressure for the sprinklers to pop up. I did all your tips on this video. Do you know what is wrong? Thanks!

[@jeremyvaillancourt4086]

Easy Johnny hey there could be a break in the pipe or broken sprinkler head on that zone

[@Kyle-cv3de]

There's a lot of things that could cause this, most every one of them includes a physical break, leak, or blockage in that zone alone.

[@Kyle-cv3de]

Most likely, you lost some pressure when switching wells. Which would indicate that there more heads on zone 1 than it can support. If that's the case, you may be able to fix it quickly(IF it's a spray zone and not a rotary) and cheap, by switching the nozzles on that zone to MP rotating nozzles. The nozzles(matched precipitation) which technically turn spray heads in to rotary heads, conserve pressure and maintain coverage. If these don't work, you can actually delete a head or two depending on the coverage, which should surely fix the pressure.

[@spitty3456]

Most likely a head off a fitting or when digging new well they bit pipe and never told you. I hope you figured it out

[@jimaltman3428]

Check valve stem might be turned down need to open up more

[@StankPlanks]

Cheers mate great explanation.

[@dianafink399]

Excellent information. Thanks,

[@stephaniea3688]

Thank you!!🎉🎉🎉 I appreciate you

[@thomasjones-yc8lf]

Very helpful. Tanks

[@mbmalard1]

Thanks! I fixed mine! Thanks!

[@MsGrandunion]

Any suggestions for a system that won't launch properly? The first two rotors splutter out water, and the rest do nothing. If I intervene, and pull on the second rotor slightly to help it launch, then the whole system springs into life! I've replaced the second rotor several times, assuming that the fault is in the individual rotor, but the problem persists.

[@josephkarl7080]

I have a station that won't work. It is getting power to the solenoid as I can hear it starting but no water... also have another station that won't turn off! Different junction for both (front and backyard are separate).

[@edwardchristopher6447]

Good information thanks

[@alavab1]

I don't have water pressure in zone # 4, heads don't pop up. Where should I started troubleshooting?

[@nicolaslsoto]

What if I hear water sounds and water running through the hoses when I activate my faulty zone, but no sprinkler heads come up and the sounds stop right after?

[@robertbrandywine]

I have a Rainbird SST600IN. The voltage across the input wire to the common wire reads 14.5 V until I turn on a valve and then it jumps to 28.5 V. Is this normal? Why is it doing this?

[@stownley2005]

What if the volt out put is AC 25.6 and ohms 27.3. However, they valve will not manually turn on at the valve box. The heads pop up try to start then drop back down. Then pop up again trying to start only to drop back down and nothing happens.

[@lynnbyars6390]

The 5th and 6th zone has a code NO MOD 1 where the other zones have a watering length time. What does this mean. Consulted manual, but no use understanding it. Thank you!

[@tvphan711]

hopefully you are someone reading this can answer. I disconnect the common and 5 zone wires at the controller. When I did a ohm test on each, each zone reach 2.30 Ohms. Is it likely all five solenoids are bad? What could be the problem?

[@sethpotter9592]

My zone 6 was working fine yesterday after turning on my sprinkler system, but now I have a trickle of water coming out at the sprinkler at the 1st head and nothing else.

[@heroknaderi]

Thanks 🙏

[@ZDevelopers]

Thank you

[@sp00f34]

I hope my comment helps someone. Check the unit! I thought A B C were the zones... but there are ZONES WITHIN ZONES, like A1234, B1234 etc... not just A B C... there are subsets in each letter. TA DA

[@alexandrecorriveau2900]

If I do the first step and I don't have any voltage on tester for all the zone, does that mean I have issue with my controler? Thanks for your help!

[@andytang5187]

Hello there. Just want to share my problem with my sprinkler now. I have a multiple-zone sprinkler and every station is working properly except one. This station will works when you run it manually for “second time”. For example, if you run that station manually the first time, heads will not pop out. Then turn it off and run second time, it will start working. Then, if you turn off it and try to run third time, not working. Basically it’s like one time working and the other will not, looping… Do you have any thoughts what will be problem?

[@teirayo]

Is that Ezreal?

[@alcantar06]

Hi guys hope someone can help. I have a 2 zone Node. The zone 1 is not activating (run time is OK, checked and confirmed by total run time) however if I start the zone manually it will turn on. Thanks.

[@billpopovski3565]

What can I do if the system is off and valve #1 does not stop

[@juanitakirksey9421]

Zone 2 dose not work when on zone 2 it show's a battery and a fuse where can i find the battery are fuse

[@rezaizad2744]

Thanks for the post. I got a question: As I switch on one station say Station2, at the same time another station say Sation 4 also operates and water is sprayed throughout the sprinklers. Where could be the possible fault(s)?

[@jimaltman3428]

Wired togeather

[@arod7teen304]

So my sprinkler wiring passed the first test (24.5) but returned nothing when i did the second test the screen just stayed at 1.

[@robertbrandywine]

I think some meters display "1" instead of OL (open line), so you may have a break in that line's wiring.

[@vanwahlgren8451]

Nice

[@SmoT76]

👍

[@PalaminoHills]

music at the beginning unnecessary. otherwise, very nice.

[@truesonofliberty3267]

You lost me at volt meter....

[@bartcamarca1229]

I have toro

[@mcarbajal5628]

Bart Camarca me to

[@spitty3456]

Man I feel bad for you. Get rid of those toro 280s. Either way start replacing those valves with hunter valves or be prepared to constantly change diaphragm or solenoid on a regular basis. And even then you might have problems still

[@peterlevitt2750]

please cancel the music, it does not help the excellent video and is annoying. people watch this because they want to solve a problem. they don't need to have music to entertain them.

[@m.a.2712]

your music is way too distracting and it's hard to keep up with the voice

[@whosyourdaddy58]

very well put together and very helpful

[@busabee6396]

Thank you