Controller Displays "Short": Finding the Electrical Fault

What "SHORT" on Your Irrigation Controller Means and How to Fix It

A 6-station system worked fine until the controller displayed "SHORT."

Meaning: Electrical Short in the Field

The controller detects a short circuit on one or more zone outputs. Most common causes:

1. Valve wire connections – Corroded, loose, or water-filled wire nuts.
2. Solenoid failure – Shorted coil.

Systematic Troubleshooting

1. Inspect all wire connections at the valves. Replace with waterproof wire nuts.
2. Disconnect each valve's wires and test solenoid resistance with a multimeter (~20–60 ohms typical).
3. If all solenoids test good, the short is in the field wiring—look for nicks, staples through wires, or rodent damage.

Process of elimination will find it. Start at the valves.