Nissan Altima P0507: Idle Air Control – RPM Higher than Expected

P0507 It is quite common OBDII 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. Nissan Altima As any vehicle else.

P0507 Symptoms

P0507 is not like other OBDII trouble codes. It will be obvious to you when you drive. These are some of the symptoms that the Altima may show:

• The Service Engine is Soon to Be Lighted– 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. When you put your vehicle into P0507, it is not uncommon to feel your entire car jerk.
• Vehicles take off quicker– With the engine idling higher, people report feeling the vehicle take off when releasing the brake pedal. Driving can become more hazardous.

Nissan Altima P0507 Causes & Diagnosis

P0507 can be caused by many things. 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. Often, the Idle Air Valve isn't the problem.

Below are the main causes of P0507 issues in Nissan Altima. There are many model year differences. Start by searching for the a Vacuum leak From there, you can move on.

Vacuum Leak

The Altima will idle more often if the vacuum system is leaking. The vacuum system can leak, allowing extra air to get into the combustion chamber. This allows for slightly higher combustion rates, which increases the RPM and tosses 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)

Bad things can cause a vacuum leak 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. They are not all the same. 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 Valves (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. The vehicle's idle performance can be affected by this grime. 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

The P0507 problem is serious. Due to the unsafe nature of driving with an engine that is revving higher than it’s supposed to, we recommend having your Altima serviced as soon as possible. Have fun!