P0507 means Idle Air Control System RPM Higher Than Expected. Idle speed is higher than the computer is targeting, even after it has tried to bring it down. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0507 means
Most vehicles built in the last two decades use electronic throttle control instead of a throttle cable: the accelerator pedal carries two or three position sensors, and the throttle body has a motor and two position sensors of its own. The computer compares the redundant sensors constantly, and any disagreement triggers reduced-power mode as a safety measure. Older engines with a throttle cable control idle with a separate idle air control valve.
P0507 symptoms
- High idle
- Hard shifts into gear on automatics
- Hissing noise on some vehicles
Common causes of P0507
- Vacuum leak (the most common cause)
- Sticking IAC valve or throttle plate
- Throttle body cleaned without an idle relearn
- Faulty PCV valve or hose
How to diagnose P0507
- Smoke-test for vacuum leaks
- Inspect the PCV valve and hoses
- Check the throttle plate closes fully
- Perform an idle relearn after any throttle body cleaning
Can you drive with P0507?
Usually yes; repair it to reduce wear and harsh engagements.
P0507 tips
A vacuum leak raises idle because extra air enters the engine, so the computer closes the throttle or IAC as far as it can and still sees high RPM. A smoke test finds most leaks quickly; also check that the floor mat is not holding the pedal.
Will P0507 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0507 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0505 | Idle Air Control System Malfunction |
| P0506 | Idle Air Control System RPM Lower Than Expected |
| P0171 | System Too Lean (Bank 1) |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Throttle and idle codes are fixed at the throttle body, the pedal, a sensor or a leak. If those check out and the engine still runs poorly, a compression test separates a control problem from a worn engine; compare engines by code on our engines page.
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