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 2026-07-21
TL;DR
W3252 sets when the ACS controller sees the tilt actuator signal wire (4770 or 3990) reading above 4.9 volts, above the 5.0-volt supply reference the controller sends to the lift actuator sensor. When this code is active, both lift and tilt functions are disabled until the fault is fixed and power is cycled.
High severity. The machine loses lift and tilt function entirely while this code is active, which stops work immediately. It is not a code you can safely work around, but it is not an engine or structural damage risk by itself.
What does Bobcat error code W3252 mean?
W3252 is set by the ACS (attachment control system) controller when it detects the signal wire for the tilt actuator, either wire 4770 or 3990 depending on model, reading higher than 4.9 volts. The controller normally sends a 5.0 volt reference supply to the lift actuator sensor, so a signal reading that high tells the controller something is feeding extra voltage into that circuit rather than the sensor's normal working signal.
Because the ACS controller cannot trust the tilt position feedback, it disables both lift and tilt functions as a safety measure. This is an 'input high' type fault: the signal is being pulled up toward battery voltage rather than dropping low or going open, which points the diagnosis toward a wire touching a powered source or an internal short, not a broken wire.
This code applies across the S510 through S770 skid steer lineup and the T550 through T870 track loader lineup that use the ACS platform.
What triggers a Bobcat W3252 code?
The controller sets W3252 whenever, with the key switch or run/enter switch on, it reads voltage on the tilt actuator signal wire (4770 or 3990) greater than 4.9 volts. No separate time delay or rpm condition is listed.
Common causes of W3252
- Tilt actuator needs calibrating, which can cause the controller to read an out-of-range signal voltage.
- 5 volt supply wire (1630 or 5990, depending on model) shorted to supply voltage, pushing the reference circuit above its normal level.
- Signal wire (4770 or 3990) shorted to supply voltage, most often from a chafed harness section contacting a powered wire.
- Ground wire (2770 or 2990) open, which can cause the signal to float high with no ground reference to pull it back down.
- Fault inside the tilt actuator itself.
- Fault inside the ACS controller.
- Moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins in the ACS controller connectors, the lift actuator connector, or the ACS wiring harness.
- If the code is intermittent and not active at the time of testing, the cause may not be found right away. Loose connections, corrosion, pushed-back pins, the controller, the harness, or a combination of these are all possible.
How to troubleshoot Bobcat W3252: first checks
- Since this is a short-to-battery (input high) fault, start by checking the signal wire (4770 or 3990) and the 5-volt supply wire (1630 or 5990) for chafing or contact against a powered wire anywhere along the harness routing near the tilt actuator.
- Inspect the ACS controller connectors, the lift actuator connector, and the harness connectors for moisture, corrosion, or pins that have pushed back out of their sockets.
- Check the ground wire (2770 or 2990) for continuity to make sure it is not open. An open ground on this circuit can let the signal float above the threshold even without a direct short.
- Verify whether the tilt actuator needs calibration before condemning any wiring or components, since this is listed as a possible cause on its own.
- If the code will not stay active for testing, treat it as intermittent and inspect connectors and harness sections for loose or corroded connections rather than assuming a component failure.
How the code clears
Cycle key power after the repair is complete. No other reset procedure or calibration step is listed for clearing this code beyond a power cycle, though if actuator calibration was identified as a cause, that calibration should be performed before returning the machine to service.
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 code W3252 mean?
It means the ACS controller detected voltage on the tilt actuator signal wire above 4.9 volts, which is higher than the normal signal range under the controller's 5.0 volt supply. Lift and tilt functions are disabled while the code is active.
Can I still operate the loader with W3252 active?
No. Both lift and tilt functions are disabled by the controller when this code is set, so the machine cannot perform loader work until the fault is corrected.
How do I clear W3252 after making a repair?
Cycle the key power. That is the only clearing step listed. If the cause was a calibration issue, calibrate the tilt actuator before cycling power and returning to work.
Is W3252 an electrical short or a sensor failure?
It can be either. It is set by voltage being too high on the signal circuit, which points first to a wire shorted to a supply voltage source or an open ground, but the tilt actuator itself or the ACS controller can also cause it.
What is the difference between W3252 and W3250?
W3252 is a tilt actuator short-to-battery fault, where the signal voltage reads too high. W3250 is the opposite-direction fault on the same actuator, a short-to-ground condition where the signal reads too low. If your symptom involves a low or missing signal instead of a high one, check the W3250 page instead.
Why would the ground wire being open cause a short-to-battery type code?
With no ground reference pulling the circuit down, the signal wire can float upward toward supply voltage even without a direct short, which the controller reads the same way it reads an actual short to battery voltage.
The code only shows up sometimes. Does that mean it isn't real?
No. Intermittent codes are still valid faults. They are just harder to catch during testing. Loose connections, corrosion, or pushed-back pins in the connectors are common causes of intermittent versions of this code.