Here is what I did: I took off the air handler and sprayed carb cleaner in the throttle body as I revved the throttle with my left hand. After 10 seconds or so I noticed the black smoke quit so I let go of the throttle and it idled normally. This puzzled me and I looked at the throttle body and around the engine for about 10 minutes. Then I noticed a "sensor" plugged right into the throttle body. I unscrewed the 2 little screws and popped out what looked like a plunger with a spring on it. It had lots of carbon built up on it and wouldn't move. I cleaned it with carb cleaner till it was shiny and moved freely and replaced it. I no longer got a CEL after doing this. It stayed that way for a day while I drove it. It still stalled and had a hard time starting every now and again, but with no CEL. So I changed the fuel filter. No she's running like new again!! I found out that sensor is an idle control and was probably sticking causing the p0101 error. In combination with a clogged fuel filter, my car sputtered and spat and wouldn't run. It's my feeling that the mechanic should have cleaned that idle sensor when he cleaned the EGR passage way but then, what do I know about mechanics?
Thanks,
--Michael
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