96 Civic No Start

My 96 Civic stalled while going about 30 MPH as I was shifting gears; it
will not restart. When I check for a spark at each cylinder, the spark
is intermittent and varies in intensity. As the engine cranks, the
spark goes from nothing to good to very weak. I've changed the usual
items: distributor cap, rotor and ignition wires.

Would the igniter cause the engine to suddenly shut down and not
restart? Would it cause an intermittent spark and one that varies in
intensity?

I would greatly appreciate any advice.

 

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Your car may have been overdue for a timing belt. Take off the
distributor cap and turn the engine over by hand. Rotor should turn. If
not, your timing belt is broken. If TB is OK, try holding pedal to floor
and see if it will start. Can't hurt. Owner's Manual describes this trick.

'Curly'

 

Ignition switch? If the switch is bad, it will result in intermittent LT
voltage to the coil and igniter.
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/startproblems.html#ignitionswitch

If it checks out OK, suspect the coil.

 

should be covered under the recall- my 98 was.

 

It turned out to be the ignition coil.

Thanks for the guidance. These intermittent problems are tough for a
shade tree mechanic to diagnose.

 

That's the purpose of the FAQ.