Question
Hi there,

I am thoroughly frustrated and need the experts advice.  I have a Hunter Pro C sprinkler system that has Stations 1-6 in the system.  Sprinker stations:
1 - does front yard
2- does front beds and north side of house
3 - does back half of back yard
4 - does front half of back yard
5 - does south side of house
6- does nothing

Recently I rented my house out to a good family.  When we went to start the sprinkler system again, Station 1 stays on and when stations 2-5 run through their each individual cycle.  Station will slow down or briefly stop and start up immediately while the computer switches stations, but any time any station from 2-5 is running, Station one is running.  Station 1 will run by itself when the computer is running only station 1.

So I got on a few websites and searched the boards here and came up with some possibilities.
Solenoids-  went to home depot and bought one, but wasn't sure where the solenoid is for station 1.  There is a green covered box to the north side of the house right between stations 1/2 that has two sprinkler valves in it.  See pic: https://www.dropbox.com/s/x9jd2xi4p0svrsf/2014-08-08%2011.16.02.jpg.
I checked to make sure both solenoids were turned to the off position.  Purchased one solenoid at home depot because I didnt know there was two in the ground at this station (still not sure which is responsbile for station 1) and replaced the solenoid on the right.  Didn't fix the problem.  Station 1 still on with stations 2-5 run.

Then I unscrewed both valves, cleaned them out and checked for debris, but also replaced them gasket filter with new ones on both in the photo.  BTW, sprinkler company that placed the box over these two made the access hole so small it is difficult to get to the corner screws of each valve without stripping them.  Started up and no fix.  Station 1 still on with stations 2-5 run.

Double check to make sure both bleed valves were turned off.  No fix.  Station 1 still on with stations 2-5 run.

Check the computer box and it appears all wires are where they are supposed to be.  Just to see what would happen, I removed the one red wire that was attached C/MV connection and nothing turned on - no stations at all when tested.  Replaced the wire and everything worked except station 1 still runs when stations 2-5 are running.

Any chance I am going to be able to fix this on my own?

Thanks

Answer
Hey Justin, you have a master valve on the system, what this means, is until the controller turns on the valves, there is no water pressure to the system. The controller opens the master  valve first, and then the water is supplied to the other valves. Your problem, is that the #1 valve is stuck on all the time. To figure out which is valve #1, go to the controller, and turn valve #6 on manually (since you do not have a valve hooked to #6). What this will do, is pressurize the mainline to the other valves. Now go to the individual valves, and you should be able to hear which valve is running, if not, turn the solenoid counter clockwise to turn the valve on, and you can determine which valve is turning which area on. and by a process of elimination find out which valve #1 is. Once you determine which valve #1 is, then you can put a new diaphragm and solenoid on it, and that should keep it from running all the time. Good luck and have a great day.