Rain Bird ESP-6Si Skips Zone 1 in Manual Mode

Symptom: Manual Start Jumps to Zone 2

On a Rain Bird ESP-6Si, pressing "Manual Start" begins at zone 2. Zone 1 is skipped.

Most Likely Cause: Zero Run Time on Zone 1

The controller skips any station with 0 minutes programmed. Check zone 1's run time in Program A.

Fix Steps

1. Turn dial to Station Run Time.
2. Ensure display shows Program A (press A/B button if needed).
3. Select Station 1; if time shows 0, press Up arrow to set desired minutes.
4. Return dial to Auto.
5. Press Manual Start once (briefly)—holding it advances to next zone.

If Time Is Already Set

Check for a shorted wire or bad solenoid on zone 1 that causes the controller to fault and skip. But 99% of the time, it's just zero run time.