I posted a question regarding no-spark on a '91 Accord last week. Problem solved: It was the coil. That is so strange considering the car ran when parked. I figured a bad coil would cause a breakdown, not a no-start.
Diagnosis went like this (steps 1-5 done before the last post):
- Key on causes fuel pump to cycle. Thus, ECM probably okay.
- Checked spark at a cylinder - nothing.
- Verified cam was turning through oil filler cap: Cam turns, timing belt must be okay.
- Removed cap, checked spark from coil high tension post: Nothing.
- Checked coil resistance - .7 ohms low side, 12k ohms high side (disregard last post on this - I measured the high side incorrectly). Note: These readings are in-spec!
- Removed ignitor from distributor and performed bench test procedure from tegger.com - Passed!
- Bench tested the coil: No spark from high side to ground - BUT, just enough to cause a mild shock from high side to _positive_ terminal of low side. Looks like a bad coil.
- Connected small light bulb in place of the coil and cranked the engine: Light flashes.
Number 8 was what finally convinced me to replace the coil. Installed a new one and the engine fired right up. I went ahead and replaced the cap, rotor, plugs, and wires because their condition undoubtedly caused the problem to begin with.
Thanks Elle, Jim Yanik, Thom, motsco, and Tegger!
-rev