Question
In the past I have replaced the solenoid and diagraphms whenever the sprinklers would not turn off or on.  Tonight when My timer was set for my sprinklers to turn on (they worked last night) I noticed one the lines did not open and two, I kept hearing a clicking noise by the control valve...I never heard this before.  Anyway, I replaced the solenoid only and still the valve did not open and the clicking noise remains..unless I turn the timer off.  any thoughts?  I have 3 valves so I guess I should replace all solenoids and diagraphms or do you suspect something else because of the clicking noise?  Thanks

Answer
Hey Tony, it sounds as though either the controller is starting to fail, or you have a bad wire or wires. The clicking you are hearing, is probably the plunger in the solenoid getting popped up and down from a inconsistant current from the controller. Normally when the current hits the solenoid, the current is consistant to hold the plunge up inside the solenoid, and this is what allows the valve to open. If the plunger is not being held up all the time, then the valve will not open properly. Try disconnecting the field wires from the back of the control panel, and hook one lead from the new solenoid up to the terminal marked C(common) and one lead to the terminal marked #1 (this is the number 1 valve ). Now turn on number one valve/zone and if it also makes a clicking noise, then the controller needs to be replaced. If it doesn't make a clicking noise, then I would check the wires going from the controller to the valves. Good luck and have a great day.