Bad computer? Running rich?

[Shaggy]

So when I startcar from cold it doesn't want to stay started and I have to give it some gas to stay running. I also here a weird noise its hard to describe but basically the best way to describe it "pank".. Lol I know that sounds ridiculous, it only does it once too. To me it kinda sounds like a back fire or maybe a lifter unsticking. I've also had some dash lights flash on while I drive. The lights are battery, tail light, headlamp. Sometimes they stay on for 5 seconds and sometimes they just sit there flashing at me randomly. This is buggin the crap outta me. Any help is appreciated.

[Legacy777]

The dash lights may be an indicator of an alternator issue.

The cold starting issue may or may not be related, and may be a coolant temp sensor. Does it start ok when cold?

[Shaggy]

I just replaced the coolant sensor a couple months ago and I had my alternator tested from autozone and they said it was fine. I'm gonna have my dad test it with a voltimeter tho. My car does it setters it's cold or hot outside. But my car just recently started making that noise when I start it up for the first time in the morning.

[Shaggy]

I forgot to add that the smell of the exaust smells like it running rich

[Shaggy]

I need to clean my idle air control valve I'm pretty sure but I don't want to pull it off cuz it seems like it needs angasket from what I hear, I've seafoamed it and it doesn't seem like that has helped but that's probably why my car won't start when the engine is cold. Does it need a gasket? And what is the proccess for cleaning it. Is this maybe sending bad info to my ecu and making it to where I run rich on first start up when it's not warmed up? I also am having CEL for purge fuel canister selenoid, could this affect the start up by giving my computer bad info too?. Is the resistor trick for replacing the selenoid a bad idea, or should I try to find a selenoid?

[wtdash]

HI,
Post is getting old, but wanted to comment (boring Sunday)....Plus I've got the same damn CEL on my '90.
- Check THIS post about the Purge Valve Solenoid - quick answer is Yes the Resistor trick is OK, and No it won't help/hurt your other issues. This valve only does one thing (from what I've read) - pulls fuel vapors from the Charcoal Canister - not when cold or idle or WOT - only when cruising.

- Search on here for cleaning the IAC aka ISC. Basically, it's a matter of lightly spraying Brake Cleaner or similar(something that evaporates w/out leaving a residue) into the hose that runs to the intake. If you do pull it off, you'll need a gasket, most likely.

- The car is supposed to run Rich when cold...that's part of the warm-up.


Td

[BSOD2600]

The car is supposed to run Rich when cold...that's part of the warm-up.

Word.

My LC-1 shows that the first ~1 min after a cold start AFRs are 10-12 range.