Question
QUESTION: Hi Robert...

I have a six station automatic sprinkler system. I am having a problem with station three.

When the timer turns that station on it will only run if I open the bleed valve. Once I close the bleed valve it will run for a few more minutes and then just turns of. If I want it to come back on I have to repeat the process.

I thought maybe that automatic valve was bad, so I swapped it with station one and still have the same problem with station three.

I don't know a lot about sprinkler systems so this is a big learning curve for me. Any, help will be appreciated.

Thank you,

Tricia

ANSWER: Tricia,

Would you like to troubleshoot or replace the most likely part causing the issue. If you would like to troubleshoot you will need a volt meter. Otherwise you should solve the issue by replacing the solenoid and diaphram on the valve in question. Just make sure you are using the identical valve. It should take 5-15 minutes to do the work.  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Robert....

I can borrow a volt meter, so could you tell me how to troubleshoot.

Thank you,

Tricia

Answer
Hello,

What we need to do is to troubleshoot and see if the issue is electric.  Start at the station terminal in the timer and turn that zone on to make sure the timer is putting out the correct amount of volts to that zone.  Then you will need to do a ohm test on that wire going to the valve to check if there is a nick or bad connection.  You will then want to take a volt reading at the wire splice in the manifold box for the valve.  A quick way to test the solenoid is to turn the water off and remove the wire connections and place the wires directly into the timer to test on a station terminal.  And lastly you may have an issue with the diaphram where the magnetic part in the solenoid is not allowing ito to open. I'm trying to type this on my phone while at lunch so excuse any grammer errors or if it is choppy.