Troubleshooting a WaterMaster 57161 Irrigation System That Cycles On and Off

A homeowner reports that their WaterMaster 57161 six-zone irrigation system starts at the scheduled time, runs at full pressure for 1–2 minutes, shuts off, then restarts a minute or two later. This cycle repeats for each zone throughout the programmed run time. The user has already tried unplugging the controller, removing batteries, and performing a full reset, but the behavior persists.

Possible Causes

The most likely culprit is a faulty circuit board in the controller. Over time, moisture, heat, or electrical surges can damage the board, causing erratic zone operation.

Recommended Steps

• Clean the controller board: Use canned air and a very soft brush to remove dust and debris that might be causing short circuits.
• Power down for several days: Disconnect the controller completely and leave it off for a few days. Sometimes this allows residual charge to dissipate and can temporarily restore function.
• Check the common wire: Ensure the common wire is securely connected at both the controller and the valve box. A loose common connection can cause intermittent operation across all zones.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, the controller will likely need to be replaced. Consider upgrading to a modern, more reliable model.