Help; 1983 Prelude just quit running and won't start

[Super Star]

This car has been running great, but on the way to work the other
morning it just quit running. No noises or prior warning, just quit, and
no hint of wanting to start since(the starter works fine. Electrical:
Big fat spark from the coil, small spark at plugs. Fuel: I get fuel
past the fuel filter, and the fuel cut-off selenoid works. I checked
the timing belt, the TDC timing mark and the cam timing marks align and
indicate no slippage of the belt, which appears to be in good shape and
not oily. The car doesn't even try to fire after spraying starting
fluid into the carburator.

Any suggestions as to what to try next?
Thanks,
Greg

 

[Bill B. Johnson]

This car has been running great, but on the way to work the other
morning it just quit running. No noises or prior warning, just quit, and
no hint of wanting to start since(the starter works fine. Electrical:
Big fat spark from the coil, small spark at plugs. Fuel: I get fuel
past the fuel filter, and the fuel cut-off selenoid works. I checked
the timing belt, the TDC timing mark and the cam timing marks align and
indicate no slippage of the belt, which appears to be in good shape and
not oily. The car doesn't even try to fire after spraying starting
fluid into the carburator.

Any suggestions as to what to try next?
Thanks,
Greg

If the engine rotates but will not start, check these items:
Defective fuel pump relay and or harness at relay

Broken, loose or disconnected wires at the ignition coil or faulty coil.

 

[Super Star]

D'oh! The huge difference in spark quality between the coil (big, fat
spark) and the plugs (weak, meager spark) prompted me to start with the
cheapest, simplest solution. Replacing the distributor cap & rotor
solved the problem. Very strange to me that the car would just
completely stop running while hot, but it runs fine now! No obvious
cracks or anything on the cap, and I had even cleaned off the contacts
and rotor with emory cloth and even elongated the center carbon
electrode in the cap to no avail. Clearly a demonstration of the KISS
concept: Keep It Simple Stupid.

Thanks all,
Greg