I have a Rainbird ESP-Modular controller operating four zones. My system does have a master control valve. The controller has been installed and working for several years. Just in the last month, the system has failed to start operating the valves when trying to manually advance the system. However, the sprinklers will come on - and operate as expected - if I engage the program. But this will only work for one cycle. To get the system to operate beyond the one cycle, I have to set the system to OFF and then back to AUTO.
When trying to manually advance the system, it appears like the valves are running (no errors are displayed and the digital timer for each zone works), but the sprinklers do not come on.
Really vexed why the system will work fine for one cycle on AUTO, but fail to operate manually or continuously on schedule. The controller looks to be operating normally, and no changes were made to the system before this behavior.
Any ideas where to begin troubleshooting?