Rain Bird Sprinkler System Won’t Turn On
There are a number of reasons why a Rain Bird sprinkler system won’t turn on. Some are simple to fix, while others might require a more involved process. The following are some of the most common reasons that your Rain Bird sprinkler system may not be working.
Reasons Why Rain Bird Sprinkler System Won’t Turn On
Low Water Pressure
If you have no water pressure in your home, it will be impossible for your sprinklers to work properly. If your home has low pressure, check your sprinkler system’s pressure gauge. If it reads 50 PSI or higher, you should have enough water pressure to run your sprinkler system.
Low pressure in the water supply may be caused by other appliances on the property, such as washers and showers, or it could indicate a leak.
If you have low pressure, check for kinks in the pipes and make sure there is nothing blocking the path of water through the system. If you have no pressure at all, call a plumber immediately because this could indicate a serious problem with your plumbing system or even an issue with the power going into your home.
Issues With Valves
If the sprinkler head won’t rotate or it’s stuck in the down position, there may probably be something wrong with the solenoid.
The solenoid is a small valve that switches power from the water source to the sprinkler head. If it’s not working properly, the sprinkler head will stay in one position.
To fix this problem, check to make sure there is water flowing from the hose bib. If not, you may need to replace a solenoid valve or replace the sprinkler head.
If your sprinkler valves aren’t working properly, they may need to be repaired or replaced entirely. Check all of the connections on both ends of the valve by turning them in different directions and testing each one until you find the one that works properly.
Replace any broken parts and reassemble everything according to manufacturer instructions before testing again.
If this doesn’t work either, call in a professional plumber to check for any issues with your pipes or valves.
Controller Problems
If you have a Rain Bird sprinkler system that won’t turn on, it’s likely a problem with the controller. You can replace it with a new one or simply troubleshoot and repair the old one.
Read on to learn how to troubleshoot a Rain Bird sprinkler system that won’t turn on.
Check the Power Supply
You may have an issue with your power supply if the controller is not turning on.
To fix this, check all of the wires and wiring harnesses to make sure they are connected properly, and no wires are loose or broken. If any of these are damaged, replace them immediately before continuing troubleshooting.
Next, check for signs of corrosion on any electrical connections. This will cause issues with power and should be addressed immediately.
If power is not a problem, check the controller and reset it if needed. If there is no response, try rebooting the system. Also, you can check your device’s circuit breaker and try resetting it. If the power comes back on after you do this, then there was some sort of glitch in the system or your appliance.
If your system is still not working, you may need to replace the controller or troubleshoot further.
It could be that the controller is set to the wrong watering schedule. If you have a sprinkler system that is set to come on at different times of day, check the schedule on your controller: If it’s set incorrectly, reset it and make sure all the zones are turned off before setting them back up again.
Maybe there’s something wrong with the rain sensor or the controller. If you have a rain sensor on your sprinkler system, make sure it’s working.
Rain sensors detect when there’s enough water in the soil and turn off the sprinklers automatically. If there are no problems with the sensor itself, try resetting your controller by unplugging it for about 15 minutes before plugging it back in again. This will reset all of its settings to factory defaults and should fix any issues that may have arisen from improper programming or wiring.
Rinse The Filter
If your sprinkler system isn’t turning on, chances are good that it’s because its filter needs replacement or cleaning.
To clean out the filter, remove it from its housing by disassembling the sprinkler head and soak it in a mixture of white vinegar and water. After soaking, rinse off any remaining grime with water, then place the filter back into its housing.
When you re-install the head, make sure it’s adjusted properly.
If you don’t see dirt or debris in the filter, then it may have been damaged. You can purchase a new one at any hardware store.
If none of the above work, it’s possible that the sprinkler head is broken. If you find that this is the case, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
Final Thoughts
If you have an electric sprinkler system, make sure that the circuit breaker isn’t flipped off or blown out. If it’s a manual system, make sure that the fuse hasn’t blown out. If it is an automatic system, check for any error codes on your control panel and follow any instructions for resetting them before continuing with this guide.
A defective valve can also make your sprinkler system useless. Check all of the valves in your yard to ensure they are functioning properly and free from defects such as leaks or corrosion. If they are damaged, replace them with new ones immediately.
Also, check for obstructions in the pipes leading from your valves to their respective sprinkler heads or drip emitters. Low water pressure could be due to a clog in the line or even something as simple as a dirty filter.
If you can’t get the problem fixed on your own, call a professional to repair your sprinkler system.