I have 1 zone that died and does not come on any longer. It is zone 9 and at the end of the line.

I am sure it is at the valve box, what should I look for? Nothing has been disturbed ground wise.

Thanks in advance!

Solenoid at the valve?

Could be a bad wire connection, broke wire somewhere.

can be a few things.
go to the clock, undo the common and the st. #9 wire, with a voltometer check the continuity. anything over 40 bad cylinoid.

without a station master, an electronic tool we use. its hard to check at the valve in the field.

All being said if you know where the valve sits dig it up doing so be real careful not to cut wires. cut the valve out and replace it with a hunter srv from home depot.

costs about 30.00 for valve and parts and should take less than an hour. you can call me if needed
817-401-7397

Rip, get a volt meter. Check output on terminal 9 with that zone on, black lead on common/white and red lead on terminal 9. Make sure it has at least 24volts ac. If it's not 24volt output, that's most likely the issue.

If that's good, then it could be a hydraulic or electrical issue.
Electrically: Broke wire, bad splice, bad solenoid.

Hydraulically: Could be a big leak and the zone has no pressure. Could be dirt in the outlet port under the solenoid plunger or stuck plunger. Diaphragm could be stuck down or torn.

Could be a number of things. These are most common.

And do not excavate, cut out, and install a new valve if you don't know what the problem is.

Thanks for the replies folks. Add this item to your check list when all else fails.

Checked the voltage = good.

Went out back and pulled the cover off of the valve to investigate and almost left a deuce in my britches.

There were 2, full size toad frogs in there. With the confined space, I guess they jumped around and over each other enough to pull 1 of the wire nuts off and the wires apart. Turned those guys loose to find a new home, 2 new grease caps and good to go again.

Of all things...

How did the frogs get in there with the cover on? Weird.

There is a hole in the top to stick your finger in to pull it up. They must have been in there for awhile, not sure what's been on their menu, but neither had missed any meals.

I found this in a valve box:


Glad you got it fixed.

you can also check a solenoid valve with a drill battery. works everytime.

You might be surprised what you find in a valve/double check box. We found a copperhead coiled up on a water meter last Friday. It was a big one. He met the sharp end of a shovel.

How did you get toads and frogs in the same box?

i will NEVER reach into my sprinkler valve box again without thoroughly checking it first, damn

Set up a little bitty blackjack table with a hot female dealer and give them free drinks.