Bobcat W3231 (32-31) Fault Code: ACS Tilt Actuator Fault
Also shown on the panel as 32-31 · Also called ACS (AHC) Tilt Actuator, ACS Tilt Actuator Fault Description
ACS Tilt Actuator Fault · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
W3231, shown as 32-31 on the panel, sets when the ACS (Attachment Control System) controller commands the tilt actuator to move but sees no actual movement. When it triggers, both lift and tilt functions are disabled until the fault is cleared.
High severity. Lift and tilt are both disabled the moment this code sets, which stops attachment work entirely. It is not an immediate machine-damage risk, but it is an operational stop: you cannot safely continue loader work until the actuator circuit is checked.
What does Bobcat error code W3231 mean?
W3231 (panel code 32-31) is Bobcat's ACS tilt actuator fault. The ACS controller sends a command to move the tilt actuator, then checks for feedback confirming that the actuator actually moved. If it commands movement and gets no confirmation, it logs W3231 and shuts down both lift and tilt functions as a protective measure.
This is a mechanical-electrical mismatch fault: the controller believes it told the actuator to do something, and the actuator (or the linkage connecting it to the valve spool) did not respond. The cause can be as simple as a loose pin or as involved as a failed controller output.
Because lift and tilt are disabled together, this code effectively parks the attachment function of the machine until it is diagnosed and cleared.
Common causes of W3231
- Tilt actuator not installed properly on the valve
- Binding spool valve
- Worn, broken, or disconnected pin joining the actuator to the spool
- Actuator motor wire open (identified across model variants as wire 4780 or 4640, and wire 4790 or 4650)
- Faulty tilt actuator
- Faulty ACS controller
- Moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins in the ACS controller connectors, tilt actuator connectors, or ACS harness
- Intermittent fault not present at time of testing, which may stem from loose connections, corrosion, pushed-back pins, the controller, the wire harness, or a combination of these
How to troubleshoot Bobcat W3231: first checks
- Confirm the key switch is in run/enter, PTOL (power take-off/load, attachment control) is enabled, and a tilt command was actually being given when the code set, since these are the three conditions required for the code to log
- Visually inspect the tilt actuator mounting on the valve to confirm it is seated and installed correctly
- Check the pin joining the actuator to the spool valve for wear, breakage, or disconnection
- Inspect the spool valve for binding or sticking
- Check ACS controller connectors, tilt actuator connectors, and the ACS harness for moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins
- Test actuator motor wire 4780/4640 and wire 4790/4650 (wire numbers vary by model) for continuity, looking for an open circuit
- If the fault is intermittent and not present during testing, methodically check all connections, terminals, and harness routing since the cause may not show up on a single test
How the code clears
After completing repairs, cycle power (turn the key switch off and back on) to clear the code. No separate reset procedure beyond a power cycle is listed for this code.
Affected models and serial ranges
W3231 appears in our records across 16 Bobcat models. Match your machine by model and serial number.
| Model | Serial ranges |
|---|---|
| S510 | SN A3NJ11001-99999, SN A3NK11001-99999, SN ATZC11001-99999 |
| S530 | SN A7TV11001-99999, SN ATZD11001-99999 |
| S550 | SN A3NK11001-A3NL99999, SN A3NM11001-99999 |
| S570 | SN A7U711001-799999, SN A7U811001-899999 |
| S590 | SN ANMN11001-99999, SN ANMP11001-99999 |
| S630 | SN A3NT12370-99999, SN A3NU11001-11111, SN A3NU11112-99999 |
| S650 | SN A3NV11001-13098, SN A3NV13099-99999, SN A3NW11001-11248, SN A3NW11249-99999 |
| S750 | SN A3P211001-299999 |
| S770 | SN A39511001-99999, SN A3P411001-99999 |
| T550 | SN A7UJ11001-AJZV12276 |
| T590 | SN ALJU11001-999999, SN B37811001-999999, SN B3Z711001-999999 |
| T630 | SN A7PU11001-11663, SN A7PU11664-99999 |
| T650 | SN A3P012214-099999, SN A3P111242-199999 |
| T750 | SN ANKA11001-A99999 |
| T770 | SN A3P811001-899999, SN A3P911001-999999 |
| T870 | SN A3PG11001-99999, SN A3PH11001-99999 |
Frequently asked questions
What does Bobcat code W3231 mean?
It means the ACS controller told the tilt actuator to move but did not get confirmation that it actually moved. This disables both lift and tilt until the issue is found and the code is cleared.
Why did my loader lose both lift and tilt at the same time?
That is expected behavior for W3231. The ACS controller disables both lift and tilt functions together as soon as it detects the tilt actuator failed to respond to a command, even though the fault is specific to tilt.
What is the panel display for W3231?
It shows as 32-31 on the numeric display.
Is W3231 caused by a bad wire or a bad controller?
It can be either, or something mechanical. Listed causes include improper actuator installation, a binding spool valve, a broken linkage pin, an open motor wire, a failed tilt actuator, a failed ACS controller, or corrosion and moisture in the connectors and harness.
How do I clear W3231 after fixing it?
Cycle the key switch off and back on. No other reset step is listed for this code.
The code isn't showing right now, does that mean it's fixed?
Not necessarily. Bobcat notes this code can be intermittent, and if it isn't active during testing, the root cause may still be present in the form of loose connections, corrosion, pushed-back pins, the controller, or the harness.
Which Bobcat models use this code?
It applies across the S510, S530, S550, S570, S590, S630, S650, S750, S770, T550, T590, T630, T650, T750, and T770 skid steer and track loader lines, and the T870.