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How do you know it is running rich at that time? It sounds like a vacuum leak, but that would make it run lean.

You could also test the ECT (engine coolant temp) sensor.

Reply back to this post and we'll go from there.

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i have a mecanic for a boyfriend and he says that its running rich, it blows black smoke out the exaust, would a sensor or a vacum leak cause the cruise light to flash on and off thruogh out the time it runs like this? then when i get it uot of its spell the cruise light comes out and the car runs fine, i put a computer on it and it says vacum leak around the iac motor somethnig between the map sensor and the tp sensor readings too low,it has a p0601 code witch is pcm malfuction in the ecu but they say thats not suposed to effect the way the car runs, weather thats true or not i dont know, so if you would please help me and let me know what could be the isue behimd this it would be MUCH APRECEITED

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That is correct, the code p0601 should not affect the way the vehicle runs. And black smoke does indicate a rich condition, so your boyfriend is correct also. But a vacuum leak will cause a 'hunting' idle and it also effects the cruise control, so, find and fix that leak first. It is very likely you've got more than one problem working together here. When the vacuum leak is fixed, you can see what's left. If you're still having problems after that, have the TPS and MAF tested--including checking to see that they are being supplied 5V ref from the ECU, and are both getting continuity to ground.

If your boyfriend is a mechanic, he should be able to do that. If not, he can find good how-to guides for all that by doing a google search.

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are u sure that a vacuum leak would cas the cruse light to flash on and off continously until i get it out of its spell. it seems like it could be a vacuum leak because u have to reve it up to a sertain point and hold it there for a minute, then it comes out of its spell and runs like a new car. yesterday we got alot of rain and all my dash lights stayed on, the odometer went out, the gear indicator all lit up with all squares around them, the wipers stayed on and the head lights would flash on and off. then when it dryed up it went back to the way it was. thats the first time thats ever happened. thats the reason why i think it might be the computer. any other info. would be greatly appreciated

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Like I said, you may have more than one issue. No, I'm not sure that a vacuum leak is causing your problem, but it's easy to test for and should be eliminated, given your description.

The rain and the dash lights on indicate an electrical short. Since it was so many different things, checking the fuse and/or relay box would be a good place to start. Having a bad computer is very rare, so eliminate everything else it could be before replacing it.

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