Bobcat W3252 (32-52) Fault Code: ACS Tilt Actuator Short to Battery (Error On)
Also shown on the panel as 32-52 · Also called ACS (AHC) Tilt Actuator Short to Battery
ACS Tilt Actuator Short to Battery (Error On) · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
W3252 (panel display 32-52) sets when the ACS controller sees the tilt actuator signal wire (4770 or 3990) at more than 4.9 volts, above the normal 5.0 volt sensor supply. When this code is active, lift and tilt functions are disabled until the fault clears.
High severity. The machine disables both lift and tilt functions while W3252 is active, so the loader is not usable for material handling until the fault is diagnosed and cleared. It is not an engine or fire risk, but it stops work immediately.
What does Bobcat error code W3252 mean?
W3252 is an Advanced Control System (ACS) fault tied to the tilt actuator position sensor circuit. The ACS controller sends a 5.0 volt reference supply to the sensor, and the sensor sends back a signal voltage that tells the controller where the tilt actuator is positioned. When that signal wire reads above 4.9 volts, the controller interprets this as the signal being shorted to a higher voltage source, such as the battery or the 5 volt supply wire itself.
Because the controller can no longer trust the tilt position feedback, it shuts down both lift and tilt hydraulic functions as a protective measure. This is a safety lockout, not just a warning light: the operator will not be able to move the boom or tilt the attachment until the issue is resolved.
Depending on model and harness routing, the affected wires are labeled 4770 or 3990 for the signal, 1630 or 5990 for the 5 volt supply, and 2770 or 2990 for the ground. Which wire numbers apply depends on the specific machine and harness variant, but the fault logic and effect are the same across all covered Bobcat loader models.
Common causes of W3252
- Tilt actuator needs calibrating.
- 5 volt supply wire (1630 or 5990) shorted to supply voltage.
- Signal wire (4770 or 3990) shorted to supply voltage.
- Ground wire (2770 or 2990) open (broken or disconnected ground return).
- Faulty tilt actuator (internal sensor failure).
- Faulty ACS controller.
- Moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins in the ACS controller connectors, tilt actuator connector, or ACS wiring harness.
- Intermittent fault: if the code is not active at the time of testing, the root cause may not be found right away. Likely culprits still include loose connections, corrosion, pushed-back pins, the controller, the harness, or a combination of these.
How to troubleshoot Bobcat W3252: first checks
- Confirm the key switch is on (run/enter position) since this is the condition required for the controller to evaluate the circuit at all.
- Inspect the ACS controller connectors, tilt actuator connector, and related harness connectors for moisture, corrosion, or pins that have been pushed back out of their sockets.
- Check the ground wire (2770 or 2990) for continuity; an open ground is a listed cause and will not always show up as an obvious visual fault.
- Check the signal wire (4770 or 3990) and 5 volt supply wire (1630 or 5990) for chafing, pinching, or contact with a battery-voltage source that could cause a short to supply voltage.
- Verify whether the tilt actuator simply needs to be recalibrated before assuming a wiring or component failure.
- If the code is intermittent and not currently active, wiggle-test the harness and connectors near the tilt actuator and ACS controller while watching for the fault to reappear.
How the code clears
Once the repair is complete, the fault clears by cycling power (turning the key switch off and back on). No separate reset procedure or software step is listed for this code.
Affected models and serial ranges
W3252 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 fault code W3252 mean?
It means the ACS controller detected the tilt actuator signal wire (4770 or 3990) reading above 4.9 volts, which is higher than expected on the 5 volt sensor supply circuit. The controller treats this as a short to a voltage source and disables lift and tilt functions.
Why can't I lift or tilt my Bobcat loader with this code active?
The lift and tilt functions are automatically disabled by the ACS controller whenever W3252 is set. This is intentional: the controller can't verify tilt actuator position accurately, so it locks out hydraulic movement of the boom and attachment until the fault is resolved.
How do I clear code W3252 after making a repair?
Cycle the key switch off and back on. That is the only clearing step listed for this code; there is no separate calibration or software reset procedure documented for clearing it.
Does W3252 mean my tilt actuator is bad?
Not necessarily. A faulty tilt actuator is one possible cause, but the same fault can also be caused by a miscalibrated tilt actuator, a short in the 5 volt supply or signal wire, an open ground wire, a bad ACS controller, or corrosion and loose pins in the connectors.
What is the panel display number for W3252?
On the display, W3252 shows as 32-52.
The code comes and goes, what should I do?
If W3252 is intermittent and not active when you test it, the cause may not be identifiable right away. Focus on loose connections, corrosion, and pushed-back pins in the ACS controller and tilt actuator connectors, since these are the most likely culprits for intermittent faults, along with the harness or controller itself.
Which Bobcat models can get code W3252?
This code applies to Bobcat S510, S530, S550, S570, S590, S630, S650, S750, S770, T550, T590, T630, T650, T750, T770, and T870 models equipped with the ACS controller.