P0507: Idle Air Control System RPM Higher Than Expected

P0507 quick answer

P0507 means the engine idles higher than the computer wants. The usual fixes are sealing a vacuum leak, cleaning the throttle body, or running an idle relearn after battery work.

Also written as PO507 or P507.

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What P0507 means

P0507 means the engine is idling faster than the computer's target and the idle control system cannot bring it down. The engine is getting air the computer is not metering - usually a vacuum leak, carbon around the throttle plate, a faulty idle air control valve on older engines, or an electronic throttle that needs an idle relearn after the battery was disconnected.

Symptoms of P0507

Is it safe to drive with P0507?

Yes, in most cases. A high idle is more annoying than dangerous, though a car that creeps hard at a stop needs a firmer foot on the brake. Schedule the diagnosis within a few weeks - the underlying vacuum leak can also cause lean codes and rough running if it is left to grow.

What the P0507 fix costs

FixDIY partsAt a shop
Clean the throttle body and relearn idle$8 - $15$80 - $180
Replace a leaking vacuum hose$10 - $40$80 - $200
Replace the PCV valve and hose$10 - $40$80 - $180
Replace the idle air control valve$40 - $150$150 - $350
Replace a leaking intake gasket$20 - $80$200 - $500

Ranges are rounded and for the US market only - actual price depends on region, shop labor rates, and the exact make and model.

Parts that commonly fix P0507

Most of these open an Amazon search - add your year, make and model, because most of these parts are fitment-specific. A few link straight to the exact tool or part we have verified, because it fits any vehicle.

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What P0507 actually means

P0507 means the engine is idling faster than the PCM targets and the idle control system cannot pull it back down. The engine is getting air the computer is not metering. The most common source is a vacuum leak - a cracked hose, a leaking intake gasket, or a stuck-open PCV valve - followed by carbon buildup around the throttle plate, a faulty idle air control valve on older cable-throttle engines, and an electronic throttle that needs an idle relearn after the battery was disconnected. P0507 usually shows up as a high or surging idle rather than a drivability emergency.

How to diagnose P0507 step by step

  1. Step 1: Think about recent battery or throttle work Many electronic-throttle vehicles need an idle relearn after the battery is disconnected or the throttle body is cleaned. If P0507 appeared right after that kind of work, perform the relearn procedure from the service manual or with a capable scan tool, then clear the code and see whether the idle settles.
  2. Step 2: Listen and look for vacuum leaks With the engine idling, listen for hissing around the intake manifold, the brake booster hose, and the PCV system. Check hoses for cracks, especially at bends and connectors. If you find a split or disconnected hose, replace it and recheck the idle before moving on.
  3. Step 3: Smoke-test the intake Small leaks at intake gaskets and throttle body seals are hard to hear. A smoke test fills the intake with visible smoke and shows exactly where it escapes. If smoke appears at a gasket or fitting, repair that leak, clear the code, and retest.
  4. Step 4: Clean the throttle body Carbon around the throttle plate changes how much air slips past at idle and confuses idle control. With the engine off, clean the bore and plate with throttle body cleaner, following any manual warning about electronic throttles. Then perform an idle relearn if your vehicle needs one, and recheck the idle speed.
  5. Step 5: Check the PCV valve A PCV valve stuck open acts like a vacuum leak. Remove it and shake it - it should rattle - and check its hose for cracks. If it is stuck or the hose is split, replace them and retest the idle before looking at control components.
  6. Step 6: Test the idle air control valve on older engines Cable-throttle engines use a separate IAC valve that can stick with carbon or fail electrically. Watch the IAC command on live data as idle rises; if the PCM is commanding it closed and idle stays high, clean or replace the valve. Electronic-throttle engines have no separate IAC, so focus on leaks and the throttle body.

The most common P0507 misdiagnosis

Replacing the throttle body or idle air control valve before finding a vacuum leak is the common misstep. Unmetered air from a cracked hose or a stuck PCV valve raises idle on any engine, and new idle-control parts cannot compensate for air the computer cannot see.

Tools you need for P0507

Parts you may need for P0507

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P0507: DIY or pay a shop?

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Time: 0.5 - 3 hours. DIY parts: $10 - $200. Shop total: $100 - $500.

P0507 rewards a patient DIY approach: listening for leaks, cleaning the throttle body, and checking the PCV valve cost very little. A shop is worth it when the leak will not reveal itself without a smoke machine you do not own, or when an intake gasket has to come off to fix it.

How to stop P0507 coming back

Inspect vacuum hoses and the PCV valve at tune-up time. Rubber vacuum lines harden and crack with heat and age, and PCV valves clog. Checking them during routine service catches the leaks that drive idle speed up before they set a code. Add this car to ServiceSage and keep the PCV valve and intake inspection on your service schedule so a high idle does not sneak up on you. Track this maintenance free.

Related trouble codes: P0171 - System Too Lean, Bank 1, P0101 - Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit Range/Performance, P0174 - System Too Lean, Bank 2, P0172 - System Too Rich, Bank 1, P0113 - Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor 1 Circuit High