SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Is there a remote control hooked up to the controller?

If you have some freak phenomenon going on, you might want to get an event recorder to log exact times the unexpected watering is happening.

Using the "grasping at straws" method:
is there anything close to this can could interfere? High speed motor? Pump relay? Welding? (really stretching on that one).
Something that might come on and cause interference even if not on the same circuit?

You say it happens every day. Same time?

Nothing else is on the circuit with the sprinkler.
I have never looked at the controller while it was doing this sprinkling! But I will look. We have been having serious rains this week, so have not gone outside to dismantle the system yet.

Even if a controller is hard-wired, what other devices are on the same circuit can be important. No motors, if at all possible.

Well, smarter people than me are stumped and every idea I had you eliminated by changing the front panel.
This is gonna win 'weird problem of the day' award.

I have one question, just out of curiosity: when these mini-runs happen does the display indicate the zone number and that it is running?

The controller is hard wired - so no washer plugged into same outlet. Tomorrow morning when it's light, I will go dismantle it all and see if that helps. I am aware of the test program, but am uncertain how it would begin on its own accord. I do understand this is strange - but I have been dealing with this for three years! Last year replaced the panel and the first module. First module again replaced two days ago. Will post what happens after I dismantle it. Of course, I will have to wait for the phantom quick sprinklings to occur. And I have to be watching out the window to catch it. So it may take me a couple of days.
Thanks to both of you who have posted.

It was an early Hunter controller, the SRC, that came from the factory with a program C set for 2 minutes a zone, but no start times or watering days, so it never watered on its own, but sometimes, programming was changed by the homeowner and the 'test program' had start time(s) and watering days added.

What you've described doesn't make sense. You've replaced the front panel so that should have taken care of any defects. You've replaced the brain.
I don't know what could cause this but let me grasp at straws here.
Have you ever programmed the test mode?

Test Program
The.ICC.allows.the.user.a.simplified.method.for.running.a.test.program.. This.feature.operates.each.station.in.numerical.sequence,.from.the.. lowest.to.the.highest..You.can.start.with.any.station..This.is.a.great. feature.to.check.the.operation.of.your.irrigation.system.
To.initiate.the.test.program:
1..Press.and.hold.the. .button..The.station.number.will.be.flashing.
2..Press.the. .or. .button.to.scroll.to.the.station.you.would.like.the.test. program.to.start.with..Use.the. .or. .button.to.set.the.run.time.up.to. 15.minutes..The.run.time.needs.to.be.entered.only.once.
3..After.a.2.second.pause,.the.test.program.will.begin.

Is the controller by chance plugged into the same outlet as the washing machine? That can cause problems. Possibly starting the test mode. I have no idea.

Again I haven't a clue. Maybe take out all of the modules. Reset everything. Unplug the controller, remove any batteries and reinstall the modules. It's important to unplug the controller before installing the modules.
Good luck!

Yeah, when I got the new module yesterday, they informed me of the demise of the ICC. Back to the original problem - I think the controller is off when told to be off, since the scheduled waterings do not occur when I turn it to off - Just those darned "quick run through sprinklings" described. I know this situation sounds weird - the sprinkler man could not explain it - not the distributor - I'm just hoping someone here has some kind of explanation. Thanks again!