I had a rough idle so i changed my spark plugs (took out bosch platinum for autolite 3923) and that didn't fix it. I decided to replace my spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor. Now my truck idles the same but runs really rough and when i drove it around the block i smelled smoke in the cab of my truck but not from the exhaust or under the hood. I know I have the firing order right cuz i've checked that 2 or 3 times. Also I made sure none of the wires were touching each other. I don't know what to do.

1998 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 5.9L V8

 

I'd find out where the smoke is coming from. Does it smell like exhaust?

 

No it smells like a fire

 

Disconect battery. Remove knee panel from below column and look for melting wires. If nothing, remove headlight switch and check there.

 

Ok i'll try that. I'm also taking the distributor cap off and putting the old rotor back on to see if that makes any difference

 

That could be a problem. That's the new rotor i put in last night

 

That would make it run like crap. but not the smoke issue.

When you put the rotor on, when positioned correctly it will snap into place. Otherwise, it sticks up to far....and THAT happens. It can be a little tricky, expecially since Dodge put the thing way at the back nearly out of reach.

 

I put the old one back on and it runs fine now. Yeah it was a pain to get back there.

I fixed that first and I still need to look for the source of the smoke smell

 

I didn't check for melted wires but the smell is gone. I'll check anyway when I have time