Hey guys I'm new here but I have a grand am that I have replaced the o2 senser, all the injectores and regulater, map senser, idle airr sensor, fuel filter, spark plugs, vacume sensor on intake, but the car still continues to run rich and I can't figuer it out, now I did notice a two wire plug haning down behinde the motor that doesn't go to anything but on a 3.1l it has a second vacume sensor that a similer wire plugs into, I grabed that sensor of a scrap 3.1 but the connector doesn't match but the wires look to be the same color, the engine runs good, but it just runs rich, when you put in it gear it runs really rich, any idea what could be causing this problem, by the way the service engin light works but it doesn't show any problems, I'm at a loss for this and I really don't want to pay a shop to figuer this out, when it could be something simple

please help

What makes you think the cars running rich?

Bad CAT ?!

and welcome to AF bradbennett1981

as soon as you start the car you can smell that it is running rich and it does go through a lot of fuel while just ideling, when you put the car into gear with the door open your eyes start to hurt from all the fuel going out through the exhuase, but the funny thing is the car runs smooth, but you can hear it trying to idle smoother, I've been working around cars my whole life and I've never seen one run rich like that with no error codes...and the bulb for the engin light still works! lol

as soon as you start the car you can smell that it is running rich and it does go through a lot of fuel while just ideling, when you put the car into gear with the door open your eyes start to hurt from all the fuel going out through the exhuase, but the funny thing is the car runs smooth, but you can hear it trying to idle smoother, I've been working around cars my whole life and I've never seen one run rich like that with no error codes...and the bulb for the engin light still works! lol
Maybe you are running to high of an octane

[quote=bradbennett1981]Hey guys I'm new here but I have a grand am that I have replaced the o2 senser, all the injectores and regulater, map senser, idle airr sensor, fuel filter, spark plugs, vacume sensor on intake, but the car still continues to run rich and I can't figuer it out, now I did notice a two wire plug haning down behinde the motor that doesn't go to anything but on a 3.1l it has a second vacume sensor that a similer wire plugs into, I grabed that sensor of a scrap 3.1 but the connector doesn't match but the wires look to be the same color, the engine runs good, but it just runs rich, when you put in it gear it runs really rich, any idea what could be causing this problem, by the way the service engin light works but it doesn't show any problems, I'm at a loss for this and I really don't want to pay a shop to figuer this out, when it could be something simple

You also want to try and use ac delco spark plugs and make sure that they are being gapped exact. A lot of times those mechanic shops and parts stores try to sell you those expensive bosch platinum plugs and junk and they are not made for all cars. I know it sounds simple and ridiculous but the wrong plugs can cause the plug to burn hotter and richer.

Have you checked the coolant temp sensor that talks to the motor computer? Sometimes that is a different sensor than the one that runs the guage or dash warning lights. If it is not working properly, then the car is running in the rich mode because it thinks that the motor is still cold. The reason it may be trying to run smoother, is the O2 sensor is trying to reprogram the fuel mix to balance the exhaust emissions. Another place to look is to make sure the Air Filter is not obstructed or you have a blockage in the ducting to the iintake on the motor. If this motor has a mass air sensor that is not working properly, then when you have a problem it may go to auto rich to protect the motor from too lean of mixture if it cannot measure the air flow. If you run rich for too long, you will cook the catalyst and then pump out all kinds of HC (hydrocarbons) and CO (carbon monixide) which are controlled items. CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) is a normal output product. NOX (Nitrogen Oxides) will probably be lower than normal because of the cooler combustion tempretures.
Ron

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