3 out of 7 zones has no water coming out of heads when turning solenoid CCW

[wear10000]

I have 7 zones system. 4 are working but 3 of them have no water comes out. On those 3 zones with problem, two are in the front yard and one is in the backyard. The two in the front yard has its valve box in the separated place but both have the same symptom - when solenoid is turned CCW (a few turns to manually open), no sound of water flow at the valve, and no water come out from sprinkler head either. I have solenoid stay at open position and check the water meter at water main and meter does not show water flow (I have digital water meter, the display show FL 0.00).

On the valve in the backyard, when turning solenoid CCW, I do heard the water flow at the valve but nothing come out from the sprinkler head. I did not check the water meter, however.

Any suggestion on how to fix them?

 

[Jeff H Young]

back yard valve im assuming is turning on but pipe is busted underground.
2 in front id turn water off remove screws off top of both valves and turn water on do that and then we will see about next step

 

[Sponsor]

 

[WorthFlorida]

The zone valves are jammed up with debris or the diaphragm is so stiff from age it doesn’t move. Completely remove the solenoid and still no water check voltage at the solenoi. Should be about 22-29v's AC. 29v would be a no load condition. Have voltage, remove the diagram and turn on the water to flush the line. You can remove the bleed valve instead of the solenoid.

No voltage could mean the wires were chewed up by a varmint or a shovel was used And it cut the wires.

Rear, as Jeff suggests, broken pipe. Let the water run and eventually water should percolate to the surface.

 

[wear10000]

back yard valve im assuming is turning on but pipe is busted underground.
2 in front id turn water off remove screws off top of both valves and turn water on do that and then we will see about next step

I will do it after storm. I was thinking about doing it but a bit scare wondering how strong the water will shoot out.

 

[wear10000]

The zone valves are jammed up with debris or the diaphragm is so stiff from age it does move. Completely remove the solenoid and still no water check voltage at the solenoi. Should be about 22-29v's AC. 29v would be a no load condition. Have voltage, remove the diagram and turn on the water to flush the line. You can remove the bleed valve instead of the solenoid.

No voltage could mean the wires were chewed up by a varmint or a shovel was used And it cut the wires.

Rear, as Jeff suggests, broken pipe. Let the water run and eventually water should percolate to the surface.

I will do the voltage thing first after storm. Any suggestion on how to locate the broken pipe? should I let it run for 30 min to see if any wet spots before digging?

 

[Jeff H Young]

dont disassemble valve with water on ! disassemble and then open the main for a few seconds

 

[WorthFlorida]

I will do the voltage thing first after storm. Any suggestion on how to locate the broken pipe? should I let it run for 30 min to see if any wet spots before digging?

If the grass is dry look for the greenest section. If you know where the sprinklers are, a straight line between them feel for a wet ground.

 

[wear10000]

It has been raining a lot recently. Will have to wait until the ground is workable and report back to my finding. Thanks.

 

[wear10000]

For the one in the backyard, since I did not hear the solenoid clicking so I have the Hunter PGV solenoid put on my old Hunter SRV housing. After I did it, the solenoid click when the zone turns on and I heard humming sound from the sprinkler value but not water come out from sprinkler heads. Am I used the wrong solenoid part?
Thanks,

 

[WorthFlorida]

Should not make a difference. Does water flow with the solenoid 1/4 turn counter clockwise? Did you try loosing the bleed off pin?

Search on YouTube. They make it impossible to
Copy the url due to copyright infringement or protection.

How Do Sprinkler Valves Work? Rain Bird Irrigation

 

[wear10000]

I want to thank you all for your help. I have fixed those two zones in the backyard. It turns out the diaphragm and solenoid on both valves are broken. Replacing both parts fixes the issue. Now I will turn my attention to the front yard. I hope they have the same issue so I won't spend too much time troubleshoot them. Fingers crossed.