I have an 85 Accord LX, carburated. Car began stopping intermitently. Now won't start at all. No spark from Coil. Seems to be getting fuel. Won't even fire on starting fluid. Replaced Coil. Replaced distributer with 2 different used carburators. 12volts to + and - side of coil with key on. When key cranking still have steady 12 volts + and - . What else is there to check? Thanks in advance for any help.

Well you asked what else to check... timing belt may have either slipped or broke, whens the last time it was changed?

If you have problems starting your Honda, check your Main Relay. It is a known issue.

http://www.markl.f9.co.uk/howto/electrical/main-relay/main-relay.htm

Did consider the timing belt issue. It's only 10k old. Where is the main relay on the 85 Accord?

Sorry, I just noticed the link for the relay issue. Is there a relay on carburated hondas as well as fuel injected? I had heard of this issue but assumed my carburated Honda did not have this relay.

Erm... well... hrm. Main Relay is kind of a part of Fuel Injection system. So yeah, your question makes me wonder what the hell I was thinking. :eek: Hm, I'm sorry then, I have no experience with carburated cars, so cannot help you... :(

Hmmm, does the distributor spin when cranking?

To have spark, the 12 volts at the coil must be switched on and off when the engine turns. Often it is done by making and breaking ground. I think there is a pick up coil in the distributor for the timing, and it is connected to an ignition module. Follow the wire from the coil back to it. Unless it is in the distributor and has been replaced along with the distributor, likely it is your problem.

I had an 85 accord lx carburated, in fact it was a California car so it had all kinds of vacume hoses and such. I had a starting problem where it just decided to not start one morning. I eneded up with new spark plugs, wires and cap and rotor, somehow the gap between the rotor and the cap became too much, so you might check the rotor as well if youhaven't yet. Other things to check is spark plug gap, compression. Check to see if fuel is on the spark plugs after you try to start it. Obvoiusly you want to disconnect the battery before pulling out spark plugs with gas on it.Unfortunelty you may also have a vacuum hose somewhere not operating correctly. But try the rotor, check to see if fuel is on the spark plugs etc. Depending on your mileage, the piston rings will begin to wear out causing weak compression. Those are my ideas :)