problem with programming solenoid vales

[scorpions980]

our team is currently using the pneumatic system for the arm and we are having problems with the double solenoid valve. the module is connected to slot 8. and the sides are connected to the first and second channel. the compressor is operated by a external battery and there are 4 cylinders connected in a chain which is connected by surgical tubing to the pneumatics which is connected by tubing to the piston. i dont see a problem with the wiring because the lights on the solenoid alternate when i press the button i set it to. and it works manually with the blue button on the solenoid. the code is very simple as well

Solenoid * compress;
Solenoid * decompress;

//its initialized inside the default robot
compress = new Solenoid (1);
decompress = new Solenoid (2);

//inside is operator loop
if (leftstick->GetRawButton(6)){
compress->Set(true);
decompress->Set(false);}
else{
compress->Set(false);
decompress->Set(true);}

can someone tell me a way to make the piston fire and not just make the lights on the solenoid switch on and off? thank you.
//
i am sure everything is connected corrected and yes it was enabled there was nothing that we could tell was wrong