Lincoln Continental P0507: Idle Air Control – RPM Higher than Expected

P0507 This is an OBDII common trouble code. The code will be triggered if the engine idle speed exceeds 200 RPM or the manufacturer's predetermined limit. This code is generic, meaning it can be used for any engine. Lincoln Continental As any vehicle else.

P0507 Symptoms

P0507 is not an OBDII code that you will see when driving. These are some of the symptoms that the Continental may present:

• Coming Soon: Service Engine Light– The reason why you are here.
• Accelerate Idle Speed– Assuming that the code has been thrown due to a legitimate issue, you should notice the engine running faster when not pushing the gas.
• Thud Going Into Drive– Transmissions really don’t like to shift from park to drive at an RPM higher than idle. You may feel the entire vehicle shake when you shift into gear using P0507.
• Vehicles take off quicker– With the engine idling higher, people report feeling the vehicle take off when releasing the brake pedal. It can increase the risk of driving.

Lincoln Continental P0507 Diagnosis and Causes

There may be many reasons for P0507. While the code specifically mentions the “Idle Air Control System”, it would be a mistake to just go ahead and replace it without a little due diligence. The code is not always caused by the idle air control valve.

These are the top causes of P0507 problems in Lincoln Continentals. We also have a waist guide to help you troubleshoot these issues. Be aware that model years can vary. Start by searching for the a Vacuum leak From there, you can move on.

Vacuum Leak

Leaking vacuum systems can cause the Continental's idle speed to rise. Leakage of the vacuum system allows air into the combustion chamber. The extra air allows for slightly more combustion and increases RPM. It also throws the code.

How to find a vehicle vaccum leak (Popular Mechanics, Article)
In less than a minute, how to find a vacuum leak (2CarPros, YouTube)

Vacuum leaks can be caused by bad things vacuum hoseThe Intake is endless, 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 for Idle Air Control

Modern fuel-injected engines come standard with an electronic ignition system. idle air control valve. However, not all are. If you have determined that you don’t have a vacuum leak, the IAC is a great second place to troubleshoot P0507.

How to diagnose an IAC valve (Autozone Guides)

Throttle Body

In the course of an automobile's life, the throttle body will open and close millions of time. 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.

If the throttle body is damaged or not functioning properly, then the code can be thrown.

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

Conclusion

This is an extremely serious problem. Due to the unsafe nature of driving with an engine that is revving higher than it’s supposed to, we recommend having your Continental serviced as soon as possible. You're welcome!