Hi SWflagrdnr,

I think I get the Southwest part but what is a flag gardener?
Anyway, my guess and this is just a guess but there is something wrong with your controller. I know that sounds lame, but I think it has a shorted wire maybe caused by moisture or bugs, but something has corrupted the internal logic of the controller. With the reasonable costs of controllers today, I would just replace it. There is many types and configurations to choose from. GL. Aloha.

That controller runs about $65 - $80. It sounds like the stations may be stacked and this will cause it to run continuously. Check the start times and make sure that their is only 1 on each of the programs that you use. I would also check that the start times are not the same or running into each other. If that does not work power it down and remove the battery for 1 minute then power it back up. I do believe that this model has a reset button, you should try to reset it. Good luck!!

Here is a link that might be useful: diy site

Ok, I will throw my two cents in.

I have worked in the irrigation industy for 10 years now, and have taught irrigation troubleshooting at the local community college and a local tech college off and on.

the key to trouble shooting controllers; UNPLUG THEM AND YANK OUT ANY AND ALL BATTERIES. Let them sit alone in the dark for about an hour.

yes, amazingly enough, distrupting the power supply will clear the memory. Batteries need to be changed EVERY YEAR. If not, magic happens, and I have seen controllers do things they cannot be programed to do, such as run continuously. If this does not fix the problem, go see your local irrigation distributor (not box store) and see the expert there. Truthfully, the guys there will actually will know what they are talking about and have better products than the box stores. Or better yet, call them and ask them to suggest a irrigation tech who would be willing to go over your system and replace the controller. I am sure that with a system as old as you say yours is, there are many water saving improvements that could be done.