Greetings all,

Spring has sprung and so I did my annual sprinkler check to ensure they work correctly. I have a multi-zone automatic sprinkler system, 3 zones in front and 3 in back.

The problem is, zone 2 isn't working, period. No water comes from any of the sprinklers. Moreover, when the system is working on any of the other zones, you can hear the water flowing, and pressure change. However, for zone 2, its silent. As if the water simply isn't turned on at all for zone 2.

How would I even start to debug this problem?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

John

   jrr:   It sounds like the valve for # 2 is stuck or not working at all. Here is a link to a discussion on the forum with same or sorta problem.May want to check it out.

http://www.handymanclub.com/Community/Forums.aspx?g=posts&t=32512    Other than that some others may have advice.

RD member since5/02 Illinois.

check the soleniod for zone 2, when you open the cover for it you should see a black thumbscrew head. twist it to the right and you can manually operate this zone until you get a replacement.

Gregg M. (Seabeck, WA) 18 years of fix'n

Thanks Folks!

I found the solenoid. I turned the small thumbscrew and was able  turn the 2nd zone on manually.

I disconnected the electrical connections and used sand paper to clean up the wires. They were not too bad, but I wanted to cover the bases. I then recapped with new cap screws (name?) along with electrical tape.

And in my fiddling nature, I noticed the big black "knob" that the wires attached too also turned. I turned it a few times and the sprinklers came on again. So I turned it back till they turned off.

Now they start fine from the automatic control. I'm not sure if it was the wires or the big black knob. But they are working now.

Many thanks for the tips.

-=John

John; I am glad that this was a simple fix. If you have any other questions, I hope they can be answered as easily.

Gregg M. (Seabeck, WA) 18 years of fix'n

John,
Thanks for providing feedback on the final results and 'fix' for your problem. It helps give confidence to those providing advice that they were helpful..... and also gives other readers insight to how to properly troubleshoot and solve similar problems.

Thanks again,


Slug-Gunner - - - Augusta, GA - - - Keep an "Open Mind" = You'll NEVER STOP LEARNING!

Hi John, I'm a journeyman sprinklerfitter in St. Louis, Mo. Use a voltmeter and check output at the controller, one lead on the common terminal and one lead on the terminal for zone 2, making sure zone 2 is turned on at the controller. If there is 24 volts at the controller, then the probable cause is the solenoid on top of the electric valve in the valve box. Take the wires off the valve, turn on zone 2 at the clock, then test the field wires for 24 volts, if you have 24 volts at the field wires, then replace the solenoid or the entire valve.

 

It can be hard to tell from this distance, but most sprinkler valves use a pilot value which the solenoid operates to open and close the main valve.  (the wires are attach to the solenoid).  There is a plunger that rises into the bottom of the solenoid when it is energized; a spring returns it.  The tolerances cna be pretty close and even a small grain of sand can keep the plunger from operating.  Unscrew the assembly clean the plunger and solenoid cavity until it works freely, then reinstall.