You know when the ‘Check Engine’ light in your car starts blinking, and you have no idea why? Chances are that it could be signaling one of the many Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) meant to tell technicians what is wrong with your car! In this post, we’ll discuss how to fix a P0507 code and other details you should know.
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) are part of a car’s Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) and tell you what problem is affecting your engine currently. If you hear an abnormally loud sound from your engine when it is in idle mode, it’s possible that you could be facing a DTC P0507 error code.
What Does a DTC P0507 Mean?
The P0507 code indicates that the idle control system has an excessively high RPM, also known as a ‘high idle’.
When idling your car, which means keeping the vehicle’s engine running while it is not in motion, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) has to maintain a specific RPM range. The standard RPM range varies between 600 and 800 RPM, depending on the model.
When the RPM is higher than expected, a P0507 code is triggered, which puts the vehicle in failsafe mode and causes the ‘Check Engine’ light to come on.
What Is the Idle Control System?
The idle control system essentially prevents the engine from stalling when the car is in idle speed mode. It allows the car to remain on while still running other power-consuming features like air-conditioning, alternators, and more.
What Are the Symptoms of the P0507 Code?
A P0507 code can be easily identified by the car owner, even if they are inexperienced. Keep an eye/ear out for the following symptoms:
- If the ‘Check Engine’ light is on’
- The engine may sound noisier than usual when in idle mode
- When idling, the engine may seem rougher than usual
- If the car threatens to stall frequently when in idle mode
- If the car has trouble accelerating
What Causes a P0507 Code?
A P0507 code can be a combination of several issues in the engine control unit. While it can be hard to find the problem without inspecting the whole unit, here are some possible causes:
- Leaks in the intake manifold
- Malfunctioning idle air control valve
- Fault in the power steering pressure switch
- Malfunctioning EVAP system
- Leak in the EGR valve
- Short circuits in the IAC
- Damage to the throttle body
- Excessive carbon build-up in throttle air intakes
Can You Drive with a P0507 Code?
Having a P0507 trouble code will not prevent you from driving your vehicle. You’ll be able to get it to the nearest repair shop without too much trouble. However, you could experience engine stalling, difficulty in starting the car, rough engagement during transmission, and continuous high noise when idling.
How to Diagnose a P0507 Code
Either you or a trained technician can diagnose a P0507 code if you have a good OBD-II (Onboard Diagnostics) scanner. When you hook it to your car’s DLC port, the scanner will check and show you what code has been triggered.
After that, clear the codes from the system and do a test drive to replicate the malfunction and confirm the presence of the P0507 code. This will confirm the diagnosis, and you can move ahead to fix the issue.
How to Fix a P0507 Code
When you give your vehicle to the workshop for fixing a P0507, here’s what the mechanic/technician will do.
- Do a visual inspection of the vehicle to see if there are any air leaks or torn vacuum lines.
- Thoroughly inspect the throttle body to check if all the valves are opening/closing well.
- Inspect the throttle body for carbon buildup that may be blocking air passages.
- Test the ROM speed of the control unit and the power steering pressure switch.
- Test the charging system.
The technician may replace any of the components if they are found to be faulty. Once the codes are clear from the system, the vehicle can be taken on a test drive to check if the error code reappears.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Fixing a P0507 Code
Don’t replace any component unless you are absolutely sure that it is the reason for the P0507 code. Common mistakes include prematurely replacing the idle air control valve, throttle body, or power steering pressure switch before visual inspection or vacuum leak checks.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a P0507 Code?
Depending on the component to be replaced and the amount of labor involved, fixing a P0507 can cost between $150 and $500 on average. Here are the average rates of some common components.
- Throttle Cable Adjustment: $50-$100
- Fix Intake/ Vacuum Leak: $150-$250
- Change Power Steering Pressure Sensor: $200-$350
- Electronic Throttle Body: $600
- Idle Air Control Valve: $150-$600
- Cleaning the throttle body of carbon buildup: $20-$40 ($150-$250 labor charges)
- Cleaning Idle Air Control Valve: $150-$600
All Your Questions Answered
A vacuum leak is a common cause of idle issues that can trigger the P0507 code.
The Hyundai error code P0507 indicates that the PCM identified the engine idle speed higher than the manufacturer’s specifications. This code is also called Idle Air Control System RPM Greater Than Expected.
P0507 Nissan means your car’s engine has a high idle condition.
P0507 Honda implies that the engine idle speed at a time is higher than its pre-programmed limits.
P0507 Jeep Cherokee denotes that the idle control system has an extremely high RPM.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
