Where is the return?

[rcs29]

You following what I'm trying to say? If that tab is in-line with any of your pipes then it is choking off water flow to that particular pipe. If you want free flow then it needs to be pointing so that it's not in-line with any of the pipes. Hope I'm making sense.

 

[lavndrocean]

First, there is a little switch on the actuator that controls the return valve that is now pointing to the spa. The handle should rotate so that it points toward the valve with ports marked "fountain" and "???" (can't see a marking). The switch may be in a middle position (motor off), up, or down right now. Doesn't matter, it needs to be in the position to make the handle point the other direction from where it is now. Once there, leave it alone.
The handle may go all the way or it may stop at some intermediate position to allow for filtered water to enter the spa. That is where it should be for pool operation. You can't turn the valve with the actuator, it is motorized. If it doesn't turn, either the actuator is bad or the board in your automation is.
Once the valve is in that position, water will flow to the pool. It is possible that one or more of the IFC ports in the distribution valve is connected to a return line and will send water to the return fitting in its order.

Sorry, where/what is the actuator *pool dummy here*

 

[lavndrocean]

You following what I'm trying to say? If that tab is in-line with any of your pipes then it is choking off water flow to that particular pipe. If you want free flow then it needs to be pointing so that it's not in-line with any of the pipes. Hope I'm making sense.

you are making sense and I'm following you, thank you!

 

[1poolman1]

Sorry, where/what is the actuator *pool dummy here*

Its what the valve handle is attached to. Notice the difference between the two valves in picture 3. One has an actuator (motor), one doesn't. The switch should be on the bottom of that one.

 

[lavndrocean]

Sorry, where/what is the actuator *pool dummy here*

Its what the valve handle is attached to. Notice the difference between the two valves in picture 3. One has an actuator (motor), one doesn't. The switch should be on the bottom of that one.
View attachment 441187

Found it! It was off. I flipped it to the down position and yes, the valve started moving as you said, a lot! Almost a complete rotation. Then I turned the fountain valve and now the fountains are on!

 

[lavndrocean]

Its what the valve handle is attached to. Notice the difference between the two valves in picture 3. One has an actuator (motor), one doesn't. The switch should be on the bottom of that one.
View attachment 441187

Also, now the little glass window that says Spa Return has bubbles bubbling inside the water in there. So I’m guessing that’s all good? Jeesh. Thank you! The whole system just got a little louder too. So I wonder if the actuator that’s between the Main Drain pipe, the Skimmer pipe and the pipe that TampaKathy circled in red that I didn’t know what it is, I found an old pic and it says Spa Suction- so that valve with actuator, I wonder do that’s for turning on and off the jets in the pool floor??

 

[1poolman1]

Also, now the little glass window that says Spa Return has bubbles bubbling inside the water in there. So I’m guessing that’s all good? Jeesh. Thank you! The whole system just got a little louder too. So I wonder if the actuator that’s between the Main Drain pipe, the Skimmer pipe and the pipe that TampaKathy circled in red that I didn’t know what it is, I found an old pic and it says Spa Suction- so that valve with actuator, I wonder do that’s for turning on and off the jets in the pool floor??

Spa suction is just that, the pump "sucks" water from the spa. The other side would be pool suction so the pump then "sucks" water from the pool.
Those are not jets in the floor, they are in-floor cleaning heads. They operate as the distribution valve rotates internally and sends water down pipes that you cannot see. The only jets you have are in the spa.
This is a typical IFC distribution valve:

 

[lavndrocean]

So the spray fountains are working now. The spa return jets are working now (expelling water) but the pool return jets are not expelling water yet. And, 2 floor pop ups popped up. I’m doing something right somewhere lol

 

[lavndrocean]

Spa suction is just that, the pump "sucks" water from the spa. The other side would be pool suction so the pump then "sucks" water from the pool.
Those are not jets in the floor, they are in-floor cleaning heads. They operate as the distribution valve rotates internally and sends water down pipes that you cannot see. The only jets you have are in the spa.
This is a typical IFC distribution valve:
View attachment 441201

Oh, yeah that’s definitely what that black thing is. Thank you!

 

[rcs29]

How about your wall returns? I assume you can run everything at once (not familiar with IFC's)INC'S. The red valve in photo I loaded should be able to also go half way and you should see water come out of wall returns.

 

[1poolman1]

So the spray fountains are working now. The spa return jets are working now (expelling water) but the pool return jets are not expelling water yet. And, 2 floor pop ups popped up. I’m doing something right somewhere lol

Allow the IFC valve to rotate, it may send water to the return fittings. If it doesn't, there is, likely another valve in your system that will divert water to them. Need a bigger view.

 

[1poolman1]

Your IFCS valves are in the thing I've put an arrow on. What is the pipe that I've circled?
View attachment 441048

That would be the spa suction.

 

[rcs29]

The valve was set to only allow return to your fountains. The other pipe on the other side of the fountain return has to be wall returns. If you turn that valve like you did the blue one you should see water come through them.

 

[lavndrocean]

Ok here’s a photo of the whole system. And, a picture of the actuator valve near the spa suction, skimmer and main drain pipes.

 

[lavndrocean]

I flipped the switch on the valve near the spa suction/skimmer/main drain- it did rotate opposite what it looks like in the above photo but in neither position, does water come out of those 4 little wall jets in the pool

 

[lavndrocean]

Well. FM. I just drained the spa

 

[1poolman1]

Ok here’s a photo of the whole system. And, a picture of the actuator valve near the spa suction, skimmer and main drain pipes.

Doesn't look like you have a valve to stop flow to the IFC. The rest of the valves seem to be in the correct position for pool operation. Take a picture/draw a diagram so that if you ever move the valves and forget where they where you can restore them.
With the fountain "on," do you also feel water coming from the return fitting next to it? There may be a valve hidden in the planter that adjusts that flow.
So very hard to diagnose from 3000 miles, but these are just options that I have seen.

 

[1poolman1]

Well. FM. I just drained the spa

Well, you just learned an easy lesson, one that is quickly repaired, flip the switch the other way. The handle points to where the water is going or coming from.

 

[rcs29]

In the last pic you shared your spa suction was valve out (off). Is it still?

 

[rcs29]

Are there any other valves we aren't seeing? Behind something maybe?