Most home sprinkler systems have control solenoids on the control valves for each zone. However, there are some systems that are large enough to have a control solenoid on each sprinkler head, like the systems used on golf courses. The easiest way to determine where the control solenoids are is to look at how the system works. If a large number of heads all come on at the same time, then the system is a zone system with control valves. If the system has the ability to turn on one head at a time and there are more wires than a normal person can keep track of coming into the controller, then the system has solenoids on each head. Replacing the solenoids is the same for both system types.

1. Step 1

   Turn off the system water supply. Either the pump or the main valve should be closed. Manually turn the system on to drain any pressure.

2. Step 2

   Turn off the controller. This can be done by unplugging the power supply or selecting the "rain" setting. Setting to rain will not lose the programming for the controller.

3. Step 3

   Locate the valve or head with the bad solenoid. The head will have to be dug up with a shovel, but most valves are installed in boxes to aid in repair.

4. Step 4

   Turn the solenoid counterclockwise to loosen. No wrench or pliers should be needed, the solenoid should be hand tight.

5. Step 5

   Cut the wires connecting the solenoid to the controller wires. If the solenoid already has direct bury connections, cut the wires to leave the connectors on the solenoid wires.

6. Step 6

   Strip the new solenoid and controller wires to expose 1/2 inch of copper. Install the new solenoid on the head or valve. Installing the solenoid prior to connecting the wires makes it easier to handle the wires.

7. Step 7

   Connect the solenoid wires to the controller wires. Some solenoid wires are color coded red and black like the controller wires. If the wires are color coded, match wire colors; if not, wire orientation does not matter.

8. Step 8

   Rebury the head or close the top to the valve box. Then turn on the water supply, and turn the controller back on. Turn the system to the "on" setting and check to make sure the valve or head comes on.

   Direct Bury Connector

9. Step 1

   Twist the wire ends together by hand, turning them clockwise.

10. Step 2

    Twist the supplied wire nut onto the wire ends. Tighten the wire nut until two twists appear in the exposed wires.

11. Step 3

    Open the cap to the supplied grease tub and push the wires and wire nut into the tub. They should be pushed the length of the tub.

12. Step 4

    Place one wire in each wire run. These are small indentations on each side of the opening. Close the top until it clicks.