1995 dodge dakota after replacing spark plugs & pulling ****** it runs rough at idle, also noticed that 1 18awg white wire is not connected to the o2 senser, before the cat.

SOURCE: 1989 dodge Ramcharger stalls

Hi Monkeypaint!
I assume you have power brakes and I gather that it idles properly at times, but dies when the brakes are applied. This sound like a leaking power brake assist vacuum line or diaphram. You can verify this by locating the big vacuum hose connecting the intake manifold to the assist diaphram. This will be about an inch in diameter connected to the round item behind the brake master cylinder next to the firewall.

1. Disconnect the line at the intake manifold end, and plug the vacuum port on the manifold with a tapered rubber stopper or cap.
2. Being aware that you now do NOT have power assist to the brakes (requiring CONSIDERABLY more pedal pressure to stop!!!), see if the problem goes away. If it does, you have narrowed it down to the assist diaphram or the hose. If it still persists, it is an engine tuning/control issue, not related to brakes.
3. Do determine whether it is the vacuum hose or the cannister, remove the previously installed cap/plug, reinstall the hose to the intake manifold, disconnect it from the diaphram and plug/cap the hose at that end. Repeat step three... if the problem returns, the hose is leaking and should be replaced... If the problem still goes away, the Power Brake Assist Diaphram Cannister is leaking excessively and should be replaced.

• ***ALSO*** Any other vacuum lines leaking can lower the manifold vacuum to a threshold level where the load of power brake assist actuation crosses the line for adequate vacuum to idle*** So check all vacuum lines underhood, looking for a pronounced hissing at vacuum leaks. A manifold vacuum gauge is a relatively inexpensive diagnostic tool that could also be useful.

SOURCE: 1995 Dodge Dakota Pick up

go to Didgeforums.com.

I had a similiar problem, found the solution there. It was the wiring harnes on the drivers side under the hood, just above the wheel well. there are a cluster of wires in a bundle. I unpacked the bundle carefuly and sure enough the were two or three wires all coroded, had wite powder from corosion. repaired the connections and bingo. I posted details at dodgeforums.com. browse around there. I posted pictures as well. this is a common problem.

SOURCE: I have 2002 dodge stratus, replaced timing

sounds like plugged catalytic converter for the exhaust... have it ckd out

SOURCE: 1995 dodge dakota 2wd 3.9 no spark to plugs,or coil,orfuelpump

First of all let's explain how the spark gets to the plugs. There is a crankshaft position sensor and a cam sensor. They are what determines when to fire the coils and injectors. The crank sensor is located on the passenger side on top of the bellhousing, the cam sensor is the pickup plate in the distributor. As the engin turns the send refernece pulses to the computer which grounds and ungrounds the ignition coil causing it to discharge and send voltager from the secondary coil wire to the center tower in the distributor cap. The rotor button recieves the voltage and distributes it to the 6 towers (1 for each cylinder) If you say you're getting spark from the rotor that tells me the primary side of the ignition system is working, and the secondary side is working into the distributor cap. I'd check for spark out of the plug wires at the plugs. Pull a wire and insert a #2 phillips screwdriver into it, hol the shaft of the screwdriver aprox 1/8"(no more) from the exaust manifold and observe the spark as someone turns over the engine. You should see a nice blue spark. If theres spark, spray a little gum cutter in the throttle body an crank it, if it fires you have a fuel problem. Install a fuel pressure gauge on the schrader valve on the fuel rail and observe it as you crank it. If theres no fuel pressure maks sure there's fuel in the tank, if so climb underneath and beat on the bottom of the tank with a rubber hammer, the pump may be going bad, sometimes you can jar them and make them run.