Idle Air Control Circuit Malfunction
Table of contents
P0511 Possible Causes
- Idle Air Control Valve (IACV)/Auxiliary Air Control (AAC) Valve harness is open or shorted
- Idle Air Control Valve (IACV)/Auxiliary Air Control (AAC) Valve circuit poor electrical connection
- Faulty Idle Air Control Valve (IACV)/Auxiliary Air Control (AAC) Valve
How do I fix code P0511?
Check the “Possible Causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector’s pins.
Cost of diagnosing the P0511 code
The cost of diagnosing the P0511 code is 1.0 hour of labor. The auto repair labor rates vary by location, your vehicle’s make and model, and even your engine type. Most auto repairs shops charge between $75 and $150 per hour.
When is the code detected
The P0511 code is set when the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) and Auxiliary Air Control (AAC) Valve does not operate properly.
Possible Symptoms
- Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)
- Engine hard to start
- Rough or erratic idle speed
P0511 Description
This system automatically controls engine idle speed to a specified level. Idle speed is controlled through fine adjustment of the amount of air which by-passes the throttle valve via Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) and Auxiliary Air Control (AAC) Valve. The IACV-AAC valve changes the opening of the air by-pass passage to control the amount of auxiliary air. This valve is actuated by a step motor built into the valve, which moves the valve in the axial direction in steps corresponding to the Engine Control Module (ECM) output signals.
One step of IACV-AAC valve movement causes the respective opening of the air by-pass passage. (i.e. when the step advances, the opening is enlarged.) The opening of the valve is varied to allow for optimum control of the engine idling speed. The crankshaft position sensor (POS) detects the actual engine speed and sends a signal to the ECM. The ECM then controls the step position of the IACV-AAC valve so that engine speed coincides with the target value memorized in ECM. The target engine speed is the lowest speed at which the engine can operate steadily. The optimum value stored in the ECM is determined by takig into consideration various engine conditions, such as during warm up, deceleration, and engine load (air conditioner, power steering and cooling fan operation).