Bobcat W3250 (32-50) Fault Code: ACS Tilt Actuator Short to Ground (Error Off)
Also shown on the panel as 32-50 · Also called ACS (AHC) Tilt Actuator Short to Ground
ACS Tilt Actuator Short to Ground (Error Off) · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
W3250 (panel form 32-50) sets when the Bobcat ACS controller sees the tilt actuator signal wire drop below 0.1 volts, or sees the actuator motor wires shorted to ground. When this code is active, both lift and tilt functions are disabled until the fault is fixed and power is cycled.
High severity. W3250 disables lift and tilt functions immediately, which stops normal loader operation. It is not an engine-damage emergency, but the machine cannot work safely or productively until the fault is cleared, so treat it as a stop-soon issue.
What does Bobcat error code W3250 mean?
W3250 is Bobcat's ACS (attachment control system) code for a tilt actuator circuit fault. The ACS controller sends 5.0 volts to the tilt actuator's position sensor and 12 volts to the actuator's motor. The controller is constantly watching the signal wire coming back from that sensor.
If the controller sees the signal voltage fall below 0.1 volts, it assumes the signal wire is shorted to ground or the sensor circuit has failed. The same code also fires if either of the motor wires is shorted to ground. Because the controller can no longer trust the tilt actuator's position or verify the motor circuit is safe to drive, it shuts down both lift and tilt functions as a protective measure.
Depending on the machine's wiring variant, the specific wires involved are either signal wire 3990 with motor wires 4640/4650 and 5-volt supply wire 5990, or signal wire 4770 with motor wires 4780/4790 and 5-volt supply wire 1630. Which set applies depends on the model and harness configuration, but the fault logic is identical.
What triggers a Bobcat W3250 code?
The code sets when the key switch (run/enter) is on and the ACS controller detects tilt actuator signal voltage below 0.1 volts, or detects a short to ground on either tilt actuator motor wire.
Common causes of W3250
- 5-volt supply wire (5990 or 1630) shorted to ground or open
- Motor wire (4640/4650 or 4780/4790) shorted to ground
- Signal wire (3990 or 4770) shorted to ground or open
- Faulty tilt actuator
- Faulty ACS controller
- Moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins in the ACS controller connectors, tilt actuator connector, or ACS harness
- Intermittent fault: if the code is not active during testing, the cause may not be found at that time; loose connections, corrosion, pushed-back pins, the controller, or the harness (alone or in combination) are the probable culprits
How to troubleshoot Bobcat W3250: first checks
- Turn the key switch to run/enter and confirm the code is active before testing; note that lift and tilt will be disabled while W3250 is set
- Inspect the ACS controller connectors and the tilt actuator connector for moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins
- Check the tilt actuator's signal wire (3990 or 4770) for a short to ground or an open circuit
- Check the tilt actuator's motor wires (4640/4650 or 4780/4790) for a short to ground
- Check the 5-volt supply wire (5990 or 1630) for a short to ground or an open circuit
- Inspect the ACS wiring harness along its full run for chafing, pinch points, or exposed conductors that could contact frame ground
- If no fault is found and the code was intermittent, recheck all connectors for loose or pushed-back pins before suspecting the controller or actuator itself
How the code clears
Once the wiring, connector, actuator, or controller fault is repaired, cycle the key switch power off and back on. No separate clearing step is listed beyond cycling power.
Affected models and serial ranges
W3250 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 W3250 mean?
It means the ACS controller detected the tilt actuator's signal voltage below 0.1 volts, or found one of the actuator's motor wires shorted to ground. This disables both lift and tilt functions until the fault is repaired.
Why can't I lift or tilt when W3250 is active?
The ACS controller disables both lift and tilt functions as a protective response whenever W3250 is set, since it can no longer trust the tilt actuator's signal or confirm the motor circuit is safe to power.
What is the panel display code for W3250?
The numeric panel form of W3250 is 32-50.
How do I clear W3250 after repairs?
Cycle the key switch power off and back on. No additional clearing procedure is listed for this code.
Which Bobcat models can show W3250?
S510, S530, S550, S570, S590, S630, S650, S750, S770, T550, T590, T630, T650, T750, and T770/T870 skid-steer and track loaders can all display this code.
Can W3250 be an intermittent fault?
Yes. If the code is not active at the time of testing, the exact cause may not be found right away. Probable causes for intermittent faults include loose connections, corrosion, pushed-back pins, the controller, the harness, or a combination of these.
What voltages does the ACS controller use for the tilt actuator?
The ACS controller supplies 5.0 volts to the tilt actuator's sensor circuit and sends 12 volts to the tilt actuator's motor.