Bobcat D7501 (75-01) Fault Code: CAN Joystick Information Error
Also shown on the panel as 75-01 · Also called Drive CAN Joystick Information Error
CAN Joystick Information Error · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
D7501 (panel code 75-01) means the drive or drive plus controller has detected an error with the CAN joysticks, either the left joystick base in ISO mode, or the left or right joystick base in H-pattern mode. When this code is active, drive functions are disabled until the fault clears.
High severity. Drive functions are disabled while this code is active, so the machine cannot be driven safely until the fault is found and fixed. It is not an engine-damage code, but it stops work immediately and can appear alongside other CAN joystick codes.
What does Bobcat error code D7501 mean?
D7501 is set by the drive or drive plus controller when it detects a problem with the CAN communication from the joystick(s) that control travel. On machines running in ISO mode, the fault points to the left joystick base. On machines running in H-pattern mode, it can point to either the left or right joystick base.
This is a communication error on the CAN network between the joystick base(s) and the drive controller, not a mechanical joystick failure by itself. Because drive functions rely on a clean, continuous signal from the joystick, the controller disables drive as a safety measure until it sees the joystick data is reliable again.
This code may show up together with other CAN joystick fault codes, so if you're chasing D7501 it's worth checking for companion codes on the same event so you're not just fixing half the problem.
Common causes of D7501
- CAN wire 9540 or 9640 open or shorted to ground (ISO mode joystick circuit)
- CAN wire 9510 or 9610 open or shorted to ground (alternate joystick circuit variant)
- Supply wire 1840 open or shorted to ground
- Ground wire 2080 open
- CAN wire 9540 or 9660, or 9550 or 9650, open or shorted to ground (H-pattern only)
- Supply wire 1830 open or shorted to ground (H-pattern only)
- Ground wire 2070 open (H-pattern only)
- Two right joystick bases installed at once
- Two left joystick bases installed at once
- Disconnected joystick
- Fault in the drive/drive plus controller itself
- Moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins in the mainframe harness, AWS/SJC harness connectors, or joystick connectors
- Intermittent fault: if the code is not active during testing, the cause may not be found right away. Likely culprits are loose connections, corrosion, pushed-back pins, the controller, the wire harness, or a combination of these
How to troubleshoot Bobcat D7501: first checks
- Confirm the operating conditions were met when the code set: key switch/run-enter on, PTOL enabled, and engine running
- Check whether the machine is in ISO mode or H-pattern mode, since this changes which joystick base and which wires are relevant
- Inspect the joystick connectors, AWS/SJC harness connectors, and mainframe harness connectors for moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins
- Verify both joystick bases are correctly installed and matched to their assigned side (rule out two left or two right bases being installed)
- Check that the joystick is fully connected and the connector is seated
- Test the relevant CAN wires (9540/9640, 9510/9610, 9540/9660, 9550/9650 depending on mode and variant) for opens or shorts to ground
- Test supply wires 1840 and 1830, and ground wires 2080 and 2070, for opens or shorts to ground
- If the code is intermittent and not present during testing, recheck all connections and wiring for looseness or corrosion before suspecting the controller
- Look for any other CAN joystick codes logged at the same time, since D7501 can occur alongside them
How the code clears
This code is self resetting. Once the wiring, connector, or joystick fault is corrected and the CAN joystick signal is reliable again, the controller clears D7501 on its own and drive functions are restored. No separate manual clearing step is listed.
Affected models and serial ranges
D7501 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-ATZC99999 |
| 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 |
| 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 D7501 mean?
It means the drive or drive plus controller detected a CAN communication error with the joystick(s) used for travel. Depending on whether the machine is in ISO mode or H-pattern mode, this points to the left joystick base or either the left or right joystick base.
Can I still drive the machine with code D7501 active?
No. Drive functions are disabled while D7501 is active. The machine needs to be diagnosed and the fault cleared before normal drive operation returns.
Do I need to manually clear D7501 after repair?
No separate clearing step is listed. The code is self resetting, so once the underlying wiring, connector, or joystick problem is fixed, the controller clears it on its own.
Why does D7501 sometimes show up with other CAN joystick codes?
D7501 can occur alongside other CAN joystick codes because the underlying wiring, connectors, or controller issue often affects more than one joystick circuit at the same time. Check for companion codes so you address the full problem.
What if the code isn't active when I check it?
If D7501 is intermittent and not on at the time of testing, the exact cause may not be identifiable right away. Likely causes include loose connections, corrosion, pushed-back pins, the controller, the wire harness, or a combination of these.
Could installing the wrong joystick base cause this code?
Yes. Having two left joystick bases or two right joystick bases installed instead of one of each is a listed cause of D7501.
Which wires and connectors should a technician check first?
Start with the joystick, AWS/SJC harness, and mainframe harness connectors for moisture, corrosion, or pushed-back pins, then check the CAN, supply, and ground wires specific to the mode (ISO or H-pattern) the machine is running in.