P0506: Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected
Short answer: P0506 means “Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected”. It is a standard OBD-II code, so the basic meaning is the same on every car. Below is what it means on each of the 5 cars we cover, with a link to the full page for each car.
Standard OBD-II code Same meaning on all cars (SAE J2012).
P0506 on each car
| Car | Meaning on this car | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla (11th gen, E170) | Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected | medium |
| Toyota Corolla (10th gen, E140) | Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected | medium |
| Honda City (5th gen, GM2) | Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected | medium |
| Honda Civic (10th gen, FC) | Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected | medium |
| Suzuki Wagon R (Pakistan, K10B) | Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected | medium |
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
Likely causes
- A vacuum leak
- An air restriction in the intake air path or exhuast
- A faulty positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve
- Damaged/failed/dirty throttle body
- Internal engine problem
- Failed PCM
What to check, in order
- Read the code and freeze-frame data with an OBD-II scanner
- Check the connector and wiring of the part named in the code
- Test the part with scanner live data or a multimeter, using the values in the repair manual
- Fix the cause, clear the code and test-drive
Causes and checks above are the general meaning. The exact test steps and values differ by car: open your car’s page.