Thanks whunter for the links. I'd thought I'd read all the pertinent OVP pages, but there was one I'd missed and a re-read of them all again was worth the effort.
So with the OVP not working previously, there was no lamda adjustments being done and the system was stuck in open loop. Now that the OVP is again operational (must be as there was significant change when it had the fuse replaced), the system is trying to go to closed loop and respond the o2 sensor's feedback.
Since it was running really well (when warm) w/o the OVP, I figured that someone had messed with the A/F mixture manually to accommodate, but the security ball is still in place blocking off the tube, so that doesn't seem to be the case.
Right now, the Check Engine light is not lit, nor has it ever been for the two weeks I've had this car. I've looked, but haven't been able to identify any further vacuum leaks, but the idle is still way high.
What would cause an excessively high idle? I know it was dumping extra fuel into the cylinders (at least it was with no OVP) since the smog check indicated unburnt hydrocarbons. At idle, they were seriously excessive. I would figure the system would get flooded. I'm guessing the racing idle is because the system is leaning out the excessive fuel by way of feedback from the O2 sensor. Question is, why is it getting such excessive fuel?
I also know that one sure fire way to fry your catalytic converter is to dump unburnt fuel into it. I'm guessing a catalytic converter purchase is in my near future.
