1990 Accord 2.2l 5spd trans with 220k.
Previous owner bought it, was driving home and it cut off. I believe he towed it home. He replaced the distributor and it drove fine then cut off. Would turn over but not start.
So I bought it from him and it's been 4 days now I'd diagnosing this thing

It has spark.
It has fuel.
It has compression.
I adjusted the timing twice (first time I discovered a tensioner belt backed out or left out - sticker shows belt changed at 200k. Second time I adjusted was after I revved it and it quit running. It was half a tooth off like it jumped again).
This guy threw every fuel and spark part in the book at it.
I've double checked wires, connectors, firing order. I got it to start and run when I first adjusted timing. Had a miss. I revved it and it died like I shut off the key. After that it'll start, run for a few seconds with a hard miss.
Pulled all the plugs, plug 4 has carbon buildup.
Finally checked the ecu for stored codes (no cel present) and got a code 15 (one long blink and five short) - ignition output signal.
Which the internet leads to the ignition control module/ignite. I pulled the old one from the old distributor, no change.
So I just went to the salvage and pulled an ECM from a 1991 Accord 5 speed. Two map sensors (cause $300 new???) And two ignitors.

I have no doubt this isn't going to do a damn thing.

Has ANYONE experienced this? We're talking new: plugs, wires, distributor, cap and rotor, fuel pump, fuel filter, main relays, etc. I got spark, fuel, and compression. I got nowhere else to go. Never been bested by a car but this one is a dead end but it's in cherry condition.

 

I've had loose grounds do some weird things. double check all of the ground wires in the engine bay.

something else worth checking that i didn't see listed is fuel pressure. I've seen symptoms similar to yours on GM TBI equipped vehicles with low or inconsistent fuel pressure.

 

adequate flow / pressure was my thought as well.

would there be a sensor, crank position, etc.. that would cause the car to shut off?

 

Solved! The new distributor prior owner dropped in went bad. Dropped in a new one and it's running like a dream. Never trust a new part.