Green Guru LLC Irrigation & Landscape Lighting

Rain Shutoff Diagnostics

Wired Rain Sensor

Rain sensors help prevent unnecessary watering, but failed inputs create confusing behavior. Wired sensor diagnostics separate wiring, bypass, and controller-state issues.

This guide helps restore predictable rain shutoff behavior so schedules run only when conditions are appropriate.

Rain-shutoff verification Bypass switch diagnostics Controller input testing Service-scoped replacement

Quick Answer: Is the rain sensor or the controller wrong?

Either can be involved. We verify wiring continuity, bypass state, and controller sensor logic before replacing hardware.

Bypass Guessing vs. Verified Sensor Inputs

Unverified Sensor Changes Diagnostics-First Path
Toggle bypass without understanding root causeConfirm sensor-state transitions at controller input
Watering continues during rain eventsPredictable rain skip behavior restored
Random schedule skips on dry daysWiring and sensor integrity verified
Controller replacement guessed too earlyTargeted repair scope based on test results

When this is likely your issue

  • System waters during rain despite sensor presence.
  • Controller reports sensor active even in dry weather.
  • Bypass switch settings are unclear or inconsistent.
  • Rain skip behavior changed after recent wiring work.

What we check before replacement

  • Sensor body condition and response state.
  • Wiring continuity from sensor to controller terminals.
  • Bypass switch behavior and controller configuration.
  • Schedule interactions with rain-skip logic.

Deployment workflow

  • 1

    Capture behavior pattern

    Document when zones water in rain or skip unexpectedly so diagnostics target the real symptom pattern.

  • 2

    Test controller sensor input

    Verify sensor-state changes at the controller and confirm bypass logic operates correctly.

  • 3

    Confirm wiring and sensor health

    Check continuity and hardware condition before replacing controllers or rewiring large sections.

  • 4

    Validate seasonal behavior

    Run post-fix checks to confirm predictable rain-shutoff operation.

Related guides

FAQs

What does a wired rain sensor do?

It interrupts or modifies irrigation operation during rainfall so unnecessary watering is reduced.

Why does my system still run during rain?

Common causes include failed sensors, bypass mode, wiring faults, or controller configuration mismatch.

What is sensor bypass mode?

Bypass mode ignores the rain sensor input so scheduled watering can run regardless of sensor state.

Can bad wiring mimic sensor failure?

Yes. Wiring continuity issues can produce false sensor-active or sensor-inactive behavior.

Should I replace the controller first?

Usually not. Sensor input and wiring should be tested first to avoid unnecessary controller replacement.

Do smart controllers still need sensor verification?

Yes. Even with weather-aware logic, physical sensor input behavior should still be validated when installed.

Can startup service include rain sensor checks?

Yes. Sensor input behavior can be tested as part of seasonal startup diagnostics.

Is this a retail parts listing page?

No. This is a service reference for diagnostics and repair scoping.

At a glance

Wired rain sensor diagnostics facts
IndustryIrrigation
ComponentWired rain sensor and bypass input
Primary symptomWaters in rain or skips in dry conditions
Key checksSensor state, wiring continuity, bypass logic, controller input
Service noteController replacement is deferred until input diagnostics are complete

Need it diagnosed?

We verify sensor state and controller input logic so rain-shutoff behavior is reliable through the season.

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Related: Irrigation product hub