My front yard has 3 zones (well actually more than that, but these are sequential on the controller in the garage (zone1, zone2 , zone3), and these are the main watering ones for the lawn. This morning (on water restriction so it was my chance!) zone1 didn't turn on, i went out and played with the heads, no water at all. Switch to Z2, no water...switch Z3, no water. Now Z4 is in backyard and it came up fine (well, one of the Toro popup heads was stuck UP, so I just pushed it down with my foot. All other Zones (there is like a million) were working fine. Turned it off. Back on, skipping Z1...Z2 worked!... watered for a little bit. Z3 turned on but Z2 didn't turn off. watered for a bit. Turned it off, back on starting with Z1...it worked! but alas, Z2 was also running (therefore, less water coming out of Z1. I've noticed this big time...Z2 must never go off, bc the grass is like 8" tall around Z2 heads, well watered and green, while Z1 and Z3 grass is brittle and brown with patches of green around the heads (but only 3" tall). I lifted the valve cover, then I turned it clockwise. Turned off the water, took a shower and drank a beer. Turned it back on and Z1 is working fine.
Read a bit, and here I am....you guys seem to be helpful and smart! So, here is my valve, see link. I've not idea what to do next. Replace? Change it to rainbird? (I live in texas. My local irrigation has been selling me PGP pup ups whenever I need one (so far about 6 toro popups replaced, guess where...Z1 & Z2 !!!))
http://photopete.smugmug.com/photos/i-qzXD3JJ/0/L/i-qzXD3JJ-L.png