Random Start

post by brillo2 on Aug 12, 2025

My Rachio is starting up on its own. The water police ticketed me for watering on an “off” day. I unplugged it but it happpened again. I also tried it the following week and got the same result when unpowered. Any ideas?

post by tmcgahey on Aug 12, 2025

Meaning a zone ran when Rachio wasn’t even plugged in?

Not an issue with Rachio. You have an issue with a valve most likely, or very obscure issue with wiring and rouge voltage.

Valves run on a pressure differential on either side of the diaphragm. When the solenoid fires, it allows water to pass through a small passage, which eliminates that pressure differential, and the diaphragm opens, allowing water to pass. You either have an issue with the diaphragm (most likely), the solenoid (second most common), or a cracked or worn valve body (pretty rare). Usually, if I have a valve issue, I just buy a complete replacement valve for $15, and replace all the guts and top, leaving only the valve body itself still plumbed in (since it is rare for those to fail).

post by brillo2 on Aug 12, 2025

That’s correct, it runs without power. I’ll check the diaphragm and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for your response.

post by Stefano on Jun 7

Were you able to resolve? The same thing is happening to us.

post by brillo2 on Jun 8

It was the diaphragms, replaced them and the problem went away.