Troubleshooting a Lawn Sprinkler Start-Up

Controller Activation

• After the run times, dates and duration times are set and saved within the controller, the controller must be set to "Run" or "Auto" before the set programs are enabled. If the controller fails to activate the water valves, grasp the dial on the front of the irrigation controller and twist it to the "Auto" or "Run" position, which is usually located at the top of the dial. Some controllers don't have a dial but have buttons instead. If the controller has only buttons, press the buttons necessary to activate the controller.

Start Times

• If the controller is set to "Auto" but the sprinklers still fail to activate, grasp the dial and twist it to the watering start times position. Confirm that watering start times and days have been set. If they haven't been set, use the "-" or "+" keys on the controller face to set the proper start time. Confirm that the controller's current time is set correctly also.

Electrical Disturbance

• If the display doesn't look right or is blank, insert a thin pointed object, such as a pen tip or a paper clip end, into the controller's reset button. The controller's electrical source might have been struck by lightning or experienced a power surge. The controller automatically shuts down when affected by an electrical disturbance as a safety mechanism. The reset should restore the controller to proper functionality. If the reset is ineffective, contact the manufacturer for repair information.

Stunted Stream

• If the water stream is stunted, insert the supplied adjustment tool that came with the sprinkler housing into the stem pull-up slot, which is located on the spray head. Turn the tool 90 degrees and pull the stem up and expose the nozzle opening. Insert the tool into the radius adjustment screw on the top of the spray head. Twist the tool to the left to loosen the nozzle. Remove the nozzle from its opening and either clean it or replace it with a new one. Reinsert the nozzle and twist the radius screw to the right to lock the nozzle into place.

Overshooting Stream

• If the sprinkler stream overshoots the yard and waters an unnecessary area, such as a wall or the sidewalk, adjust the arc. Insert the adjustment tool into the arc adjustment slot, located on top of the spray head. Twist the tool to the left to shorten the rotation range. Your sprinkler might have a fixed right side, in which case only the left side is adjustable.