Bobcat W4005 (40-05) Fault Code: Right CAN Joystick X-axis Not in Neutral
Also shown on the panel as 40-05 · Also called Right CAN Joystick X-Axis Not in Neutral, Right Joystick X-Axis Not in Neutral
Right CAN Joystick X-axis Not in Neutral · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
W4005 (panel form 40-05) sets when the ACS controller sees the right joystick X-axis is not in neutral while PTOL is enabled. When it sets, lift and tilt functions are disabled until the joystick reads neutral again.
Medium severity. W4005 does not indicate an engine or hydraulic system failure, but it disables lift and tilt functions, which stops productive work until the joystick is confirmed in neutral and the fault clears. Treat it as a stop-and-diagnose issue rather than an emergency shutdown.
What does Bobcat error code W4005 mean?
W4005 is set by the ACS controller when it detects that the right joystick's X-axis is not centered in the neutral position at a time when PTOL (the pilot travel/operate lockout, referred to here as PTOL enabled) is active. Since the machine expects the joystick to be at rest under this condition, any deviation gets flagged as a fault.
The direct effect is that lift and tilt functions are disabled. This is a protective response: the controller will not let boom or attachment functions move if it cannot confirm the joystick command is starting from a true neutral position.
Bobcat notes that a door that is not fully latched, or one that is opened and closed while the machine is running, can also trigger this code. That means the fault is not always a joystick hardware problem, it can be tied to the operator door and its sensor.
What triggers a Bobcat W4005 code?
The code sets when the key switch (run/enter) is on and PTOL is enabled, and under those conditions the ACS controller detects the right joystick X-axis is out of neutral.
Common causes of W4005
- Rubber boot around the right joystick, or the operator's hand, holding the joystick out of neutral.
- Faulty or misaligned door sensor, including a door that is not fully latched or that is opened and closed during operation.
- Worn or damaged right joystick base.
- Fault in the ACS controller itself.
- Moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins in the ACS controller connectors, door sensor connector, right joystick connectors, or the ACS wiring harness.
- Moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins inside the right joystick assembly itself.
- An intermittent condition: if the code is not active at the time of testing, the cause may not be found immediately. Probable causes for intermittent faults include loose connections, corrosion, pushed-back pins, the controller, the wire harness, or a combination of these.
How to troubleshoot Bobcat W4005: first checks
- Confirm the operator door is fully latched. Open and close the door properly and see if the code clears, since an improperly latched or cycled door can set this code on its own.
- Visually inspect the rubber boot on the right joystick. Check that the part number printed on the inside of the boot is oriented toward the front of the machine, as incorrect boot orientation can hold the joystick out of true neutral.
- With the machine safely shut down, check that nothing is resting against or pressing the right joystick out of neutral, including debris, tools, or a misrouted boot.
- Inspect the door sensor and its connector for looseness, moisture, or corrosion.
- Inspect the right joystick base and its connectors, along with the ACS controller connectors and harness, for moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins.
- If running the machine with a radio remote control, use the diagnostic software's radio remote control diagnostics function to verify the right joystick is operating correctly through that input path.
- If the code is not active during testing, treat it as intermittent and inspect all connections, terminals, and harness routing for loose or corroded pins rather than assuming no fault exists.
How the code clears
Bobcat lists the condition for clearing W4005 as simply 'PTOL enabled.' In practice this means once the underlying cause (door latch, joystick position, connector or sensor issue) is corrected and PTOL is enabled again with the joystick reading true neutral, the code should clear on its own. No separate reset procedure is listed for this code.
Affected models and serial ranges
W4005 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 W4005 mean on a Bobcat machine?
It means the ACS controller detected that the right joystick's X-axis was not in the neutral position while PTOL was enabled. This disables the lift and tilt functions until the condition is resolved.
Why did W4005 come up right after I opened and closed my door?
Bobcat specifically notes that opening and closing the door during operation, or having the door not fully latched, can set this code. Make sure the door is closed and latched fully before continuing.
Can W4005 be caused by something other than the joystick itself?
Yes. Possible causes include the door sensor, the joystick base, the ACS controller, or moisture and corrosion in any of the related connectors and wiring harness, not just the joystick handle.
Is it safe to keep operating with W4005 active?
Lift and tilt functions are disabled when this code is active, so you will not be able to use those functions until the fault clears. It is best to diagnose the cause before continuing operation.
I use a radio remote control and got W4005, what should I check?
Use the diagnostic software's radio remote control diagnostics feature to verify that the right joystick input is being read correctly through the remote system.
Does the rubber boot on the joystick really matter for this code?
Yes. Bobcat notes the part number printed inside the rubber boot must face the front of the machine. If it is installed backward or twisted, it can physically hold the joystick out of true neutral and set this code.
What if the code shows up but I can't find anything wrong?
If W4005 is intermittent and not active during testing, the cause may not be identifiable right away. Check for loose connections, corrosion, or pushed-back pins in the connectors and harness, since these are the most common hidden causes.