Driving down road power instantly dropped to 1/2 power then slowly died, started for second then died never to start again. Smell gas when engine turns over (fuel pump seems to work), engine does not sound right when turning over - skips, similar to if no compression, no spark from dist, mult. Replacement distributors have been tried, have 12 V power from engine h/a to dist. reading 10.5 v from coil output to ground, coil primary and secondary resistance OK according to specs in serv manual, new cap, rotor even though looked OK, resistance on spark cables OK - one at 60k ohms but shouldn't cause entire engine to stop, checked other pins at engine h/a to dist. to ground - no shorts - what else can be keeping dist from firing?

. Check the timing belt. Does the camshaft rotate, when you crank the starter motor? Remove the oil cap and look inside.

. Check the compression of each cylinder with a gauge, after removing all spark plugs. Record readings.

. Perform tests, in Honda Sections 1 and 2, below:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563.html

Spark plug wire resistance is way too high. It can cause the secondary voltage to turn on itself and destroy the coil, ICM, and internal distributor sensors.

Timing belt is OK, checked when it first died and the rotor is in different positions whenever I crank. I haven't checked compression since I know I don't have any spark at the dist - checked with spark plugs checked with plug wire connected directly to the coil contact, checked voltage at coil when cranking - only getting about 10.5 to 11 V - guessing this is low. Checked v at eng. h/a with switch on and cranking batt v present, fuses good, no recalls on car according to honda

- more info. The electrical system, engine, lights etc, pulse - has been looked at by shop but has never been able to fix - typically suspect, h/a rubbing on manifold bracket does not seem to apply here - does not rub and the bracket is different i.e. has edges turned down, 4 holes/screws not two and is smooth on top no sharp edges. Have checked h/a in area and not damaged.

- car did die at one point, killed battery - repair shop fixed but still pulse - first death.

- died again later - apparently bad ground - shop added additional grounds and started ran OK but still had pulse then the dist issue.