I have a 96 Honda Civic DX with 1.6L 4 cyl, 223,000 miles, automatic transmission. Was driving car home and felt car surge and lost power, pulled car over and turned car off. After a few attempts car started but immediately died and have not been able to get started since, and had to have car towed home. Pulled the spark plugs and am getting spark at them, spark is orange if that matters. Replaced distributor and that did not make any changes. Pulled cover off timing belt and timing appeared fine as well as the belt. Had timing belt and water pump changed at 190,000 miles. Timing belt did seem to have some slack in it but car has an automatic tensioner and have not found any actual measurement for play in the timing belt. Replaced fuel filter, am getting fuel to fuel rack. When I pulled the plugs they did appear to be somewhat drier than I expected them to be. Sprayed starting fluid into throttle body and attempted to start the car and this made no difference. Appreciate any help.

If the CEL comes on for 2 seconds and then goes out, when the ignition switch is turned to ON (Position II), then focus on the distributor. I only recommend genuine Honda distributor housings, where it's fine to install an aftermarket igniter and coil to keep the cost down. IMO, non-genuine Honda distributors are unreliable and present endless problems.

The timing belt, going from the camshaft to the crankshaft should be "banjo" tight. If not, read how to properly tension the timing belt.

The CEL does come on for approximately 2 sec then goes out, so I will focus on the distributor for now, thanks