91 Accord Won't Start

[jheissle]

I have a 91 Accord that for a few months has been having trouble starting. It has always started until this week. The engine is turning over, but won't start. I hear the fuel pump come on so I suspect I am getting fuel. I do not get spark to the plugs or the distributor cap though. I believe I had the distributor replaced about 10 years ago. Are there any diagnostic steps I should take before replacing the distributor again?

[jeffcoslacker]

Make sure the timing belt didn't break before going in circles with it. Take the distributor cap off and crank the motor, verify that the distributor is moving...if not, timing belt probably broke...

Verify that the coil wire is not shot, check for a signal off/on with a test light at one of the coil's primary leads when the motor is cranked, if you have no signal, the ignitor (ignition module) or a position sensor in the distributor has failed.

I think most parts stores can bench test the module...

[jheissle]

Thanks for the assistance. I replaced the distributor and the car started right up. Runs like its new again. Maybe it was something in the distributor that could have been replaced, but for $130 and three bolts, an easy problem to fix.