Pull a plug and check for spark....try some starting fluid...

THere is no spark. I forgot to mention that one. I thought it was the coil, but still no spark.

You probably need a new ignitor or distributor...

Follow these steps to troubleshoot ignition system....

http://easyautodiagnostics.com/honda_dist_ignition/honda_ignition_systems_1.php

http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-4.html#post265896

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/Distributor/02780/C0334.oap?make=Honda&model=Civic&year=2000&vi=1363047

You may be right. There is a lot going on inside that distributer. Add to that the fact that the seal on it tends to allow oil to enter it, and one can understand why these distributors are fast movers in the junk yards.

Still some simple tests are worth trying. After all, he has already purchased a coil, and module.

There is one wire that gets power going into the distributer whenever the key is on. I believe it is through the main power relay. If there is no power there, all the distributors in the world will not help. That wire should go directly to the Pos side of the coil. Testing there should be easy enough.

Please separate the two tests. Starting fluid will burn if allowed to come near the test for spark.

What has changed since the last time that the car ran?

I haven't done anything to it since its last oil change about 2 months ago. I did notice something weird the day before it didn't start. I was driving on the freeway doing about 70 and it rattled really bad. I let go of the gas and continued working normally. I stopped to pick up my son, but it hesitated a little to start, but it started. The next day it just would not start. This was Thursday morning.

That may have been the beginnings of the timing belt failing. If the worn belt allows the crank to turn, but the camshaft slips, you have retarded camshaft timing. That condition gives hard starting, and poor power. If the belt was worn enough to let the camshaft slip one tooth, it is worn enough for the next tooth to slip. Once your camshaft is retarded more than two degrees, it will not likely have sufficient compression to start. Remember that as the camshaft becomes retarded relative to the crankshaft and pistons, the ignition timing will also become retarded, compounding the difficulty in starting.

If you can not get the car started after the starting fluid test, I think you should check the camshaft belt timing marks before spending any more money.

The timing belt was replaced in January at the dealership. I think we can count that one out.

That is good. Another common failure point in the Honda system is the ignition module inside the distributer. Harder to test though.

Do you have a DVM? The fuel injector signals and the ignition spark signals as well as the engine speed sensor are all inside the distributer.If you do not have spark, you need to test the signal to the low voltage side of the coil.

If there is spark, you need to test the signal going to the injectors. At some point, you will need to know if the fuel pump is working. Good luck.

I was reading that the main relay tends to go bad on these cars too, but as i read more, I'm not showing the signs that they describe when this relay goes bad. I will test for voltage on what you suggested. Thank you for your assistance.

Thank you for your assistance.

As it turned out, it was the ignition control module. this little $95.00 part was the cause of my sleepless night.

While the $95 module was not cheap, at least you did not have to pay someone to tell you to replace the distributer.

never mind