Question
We recently moved into a house with an irrigation system and I must confess my lack of knowledge. The problem is that my Richdel R402 6 zone timer has taken on a mind of its own.  It get stuck at one zone for hours, comes on at times and days that it shouldn't and doesn't shut off when it should, even when I turn the switch to the off position.  I've had to resort to shutting off the power to tame the beast, but when it is on Auto, it is simply uncontrollable and un predictable... Help!

Answer
Get a new timer!.. They are not that expensive and fairly easy to install.  You basically need to hook up the new one just like the last one was.  Mount it on the wall, connect the station wires to the terminals (its best just to use the same station numbers as the old system).  Make sure that the common wire is connected to the common terminal on the new controller.  Plug it in, program it and you should be good to go.