Can you get spark with a bad igniter? Have a honda prelude that won't start

Yes, as many on this site can attest to. A host of problems can beset igniters, from total failure to erratic idling and performance. Electronically, igniters, along with ECMs, are the most sophisticated circuits in a vehicle. Heat is the nemesis of integrated circuits and most igniters (and ECMs) eventually start to break down and die due to heat. So, yes, you can still get spark with a failing igniter, but the igniter may not be firing when it's supposed to and you may receive an attenuated spark in the secondary. Igniters operate in a very hostile and difficult environment and need to periodically be replaced.

Reading sections A and B below should help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-honda-civics-46563.html