Air intakeGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Monitor

P0507 on BMW: causes and affected engines

P0507 means: idle control system: speed higher than expected.^[1][2] BMW has 5 documented faults that can trigger it, across 5 engines, including BMW M47, BMW M57, BMW N47 and BMW B48 / B38. Only a diagnosis can confirm the cause on your car.

Documented faults

that can trigger it

Engines

used by BMW, with at least one of them

BMW models

with at least one of these faults

Urgency

Monitor

Reviewed on 29 October 20263 sources How we work

Documented faults in BMW engines that can trigger P0507

Grouped by engine or model, from most to least important. These are faults with carbon build-up in the intake and with the intake flaps: not all of them will necessarily set the code, and only a diagnosis confirms the cause on your car.

BMW M47

In Serie 1 E87, Serie 3 E46, Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E60 and X3 E83

- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentIntakeIntake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)Yes: the common rail versions of the M47 (built since 2001) have flaps in the intake manifold that, with diesel soot and heat cycles, can break and be sucked into the cylinder, with a risk of serious damage to the piston, cylinder head and valves.

BMW M57

In Serie 3 E46, Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E39, Serie 5 E60, Serie 7 E65, X3 E83 and 2 more models

- Critical severityFrequency: CommonIntakeBroken intake swirl flapsYes: most automatic M57 and M57TU engines (330d, 530d, 535d, 730d, X3 3.0d and so on) have six metal flaps in the intake manifold that can seize, come loose and wreck a cylinder. The E53 X5 3.0d and the manual gearboxes of the first 330d/530d are free of them, according to a specialist workshop.

BMW N47

In Serie 1 E87, Serie 1 F20, Serie 3 E90, Serie 3 F30, Serie 5 E60, Serie 5 F10 and 3 more models

- Critical severityFrequency: CommonIntakeBroken intake manifold swirl flapsYes: the N47's intake manifold has plastic swirl flaps that, with diesel soot and the passing years, can crack, come loose and be sucked into the cylinder, with a risk of seriously damaging the piston, cylinder head and valves.

BMW B48 / B38

In Serie 1 F20, Serie 1 F40, Serie 2 F22, Serie 2 Active Tourer F45, Serie 2 Active Tourer U06, Serie 3 F30 and 8 more models

- Low severityFrequency: CommonIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valves (direct injection)Yes, as on most direct-injection engines: because they are not washed by fuel, the intake valves on the B48/B38 build up carbon over the years, especially in urban use, with a loss of smoothness and a less stable idle.

BMW N13

In Serie 1 F20 and Serie 3 F30

- Low severityFrequency: CommonInjectionCarbon build-up on direct injection injectorsYes: being direct injection, the N13 can build up carbon on the injectors over time, with loss of power and higher consumption. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de places this problem on almost the whole Prince family, apart from PSA's naturally aspirated EP6/EP6C variants.

Common causes of P0507 on any make

From most to least likely, according to the sources.

1Vacuum leak or unmetered air entering after the throttle: cracked intake hose, PCV or brake servo hose, or manifold gasket.^[1][3]
2Throttle body dirty or sticking from carbon build-up, or idle air control (IAC) valve stuck open.^[1][2][3]
3Dirty mass airflow (MAF) sensor or incorrect coolant temperature signal.^[2][3]
4EVAP purge valve stuck open, letting vapours into the intake.^[1]

What to check first

The first diagnostic steps, from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.

1Use the diagnostic tool to check that the idle really is higher than the target and when it happens: cold, warm or with the air conditioning on.^[1]
2Look for unmetered air leaks with a smoke test on the intake: hoses, PCV, brake servo, gaskets and EGR.^[1][3]
3Clean the throttle body and the IAC valve, and carry out the throttle relearn with the tool if it is electronic.^[1][3]

Full guide to P0507: symptoms, diagnosis and whether you can drive

Frequently asked questions

Which BMW engines have faults that can trigger P0507?

BMW M47 (1 fault), BMW M57 (1 fault), BMW N47 (1 fault), BMW B48 / B38 (1 fault) and BMW N13 (1 fault). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

What does code P0507 mean on a BMW?

Idle control system: speed higher than expected. The ECU has detected that the actual idle speed is consistently above the target it calculated itself, with a tolerance that AutoDTCs puts at around 200 rpm. It is a generic OBD-II code: it means the same on a BMW as on any other make.^[1][2]

Can I keep driving with P0507?

Monitor. According to the sources it will not leave you stranded, but a high idle raises consumption and can punish the automatic gearbox when engaging; get it repaired soon.^[1][3]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

P0507 – AutoDTCsAutoDTCs · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
OBD Fehlercode P0507CarWiki.de · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
P0507: OBD2 diagnostic trouble codeCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026