Chevy Cruze P0506: Idle Air Control – RPM Lower than Expected

P0506 It is the most common OBDII code. It's usually caused by an engine speed that is below the manufacturer-predetermined limit.

It's a generic cod, meaning it can be used to refer to any code. Chevy Cruze It will work as any other vehicle.

 P0506 Symptoms:  Cruze

The most common symptoms of P0506 are visible while driving. The following symptoms are typical for Cruze

• Coming Soon: Service Engine Light– The reason why you are here.
• Lower idle speed– Assuming that the code has been thrown due to a legitimate issue, you should notice the engine running slower when not pushing the gas.
• Stalling–  The idle may be too slow for the car to run without pressing on the accelerator pedal.

Chevy Cruze A0506 Diagnosis and Causes

Many possible causes of P0506 exist. While the code specifically mentions the “Idle Air Control System”, it would be a mistake to just go ahead and replace the idle air control valve without a little due diligence. It’s not always the cause of the code.

These are the top causes of P0506 problems in Chevy Cruze. We also have a waist guide to help you troubleshoot. Be aware that model years can vary. You might start with looking at a Leakage of vacuum From there, you can move on.

Vacuum Leak

The Cruze will idle faster if the vacuum system is leaking. Leakage of the vacuum system causes the combustion chamber's air to become unstable. 

How do you find a leak in your vehicle's vaccum? (Popular Mechanics, Article)
In less than a minute, how to find a vacuum leak (2CarPros, YouTube)

Bad things can cause a vacuum leak vacuum hoseThe Take in a lot, EGR SystemYou can find it anywhere that air is flowing. It’s not hard to find a vacuum leak though. Use the resources above and you’ll find it in no time.

Valve to control the idle airflow

The majority of modern fuel-injected engine are fitted with an idle control valve. Some engines are not equipped with an idle air control valve. If you have determined that you don’t have a vacuum leak, the IAC is a great second place to troubleshoot P0506.  You can find idle air control valves here Very affordable.

How to Diagnose an IAC Valves (Autozone Guides)

Throttle body

The throttle body can be opened and closed millions of times during the lifetime of a car's engine. The accumulation of dust and air can slow down the body's ability to withstand high levels of pressure. It can alter the characteristics of your vehicle's idle. When dirty, you’ll often feel the vehicle almost stall before the computer compensates and opens it a little more.

Alternativly, the throttle body may have been damaged and may stop regulating the airflow properly. In this case, the code could be thrown.

Here are some signs your Throttle Body is failing and what to do (Repair Pal)
What to do if your throttle body is dirty or bad? Youtube, YouTube Auto Repair

Bloated Intake/Exhaust

The idle could drop to P0506 due to a problem with the catalytic convert or the intake manifold. 

Conclusion

This is an extremely serious problem. Because your engine can stop at any moment, it is dangerous to drive. We strongly recommend you get your Cruze serviced ASAP. We wish you all the best!