A plug jump out and broke inside the engine - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina

It is definitely mechanical - you are going to need to open up engine until you find a problem - focus on the timing chain

starter if engine wont crank....otherwise if it turns over but no start then it could be electrical maybe ignition module.if starter no work tap with hammer while trying to start they get hung up or on a flat spot an that usually jars them free...try electrical first pull one spark plug and see if when you trun it over the spark jumps the plug if it does then it is a fuel problem...dont hold spark plug wire position it to lay away fro everything...nobody likes gettin shocked no matter how funny it is after.....

u have ether jumped time or broke something inside sorry to say

Hello Melissa.

When the belt broke it most likely damaged the crankshaft position sensor.
The sensor is mounted at the harmonic balancer pulley.
This sensor sends a signal to the ignition to tell it when to fire the spark plugs. Without this signal the spark will not take place and your engine will not start.
It will likely need replacement
If you could tell me which engine came in your Cougar I will be able to give you more specific information.

Thank you for using FixYa.

KL

well ouch!!! okay is the car worth fixing ? If the belt failed and jumped time there is more damage than just #4. what happened to the plug is the piston hit a opened valve (EXHAUST) and broke it then the valve fell into cylinder while taking in intake and upon coming up on compression that piece from the valve breaking got smashed into the head causing plug damage as well as piston and head damage, i will bet that one other cylinder has a bent valve also, it just bent though not broke but still its damaged. The best solution is to search for a used engine, $ 400.00 - $700.00 dollars. and i hope you have the skills to do the work yourself to save a few more hundred. Dont buy on desperation, check it out, hopefully you can hear it run before purchase,and that it has a exhaust on it so the noisy exhaust don't hide possible other engine noises. And make sure you get at least a thirty day warranty in writing from the seller. if private seller get address,phone #,driver lic#, exact wording on what warranty covers, price paid, and refund amount if motor fails, oil pump pressure !! KNOCKS,cracked heads. do your homework, times are tuff to give $$$$$$$ for another piece of problems or junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To check timing belt or chain, remove distributer cap and turn engine over. BRING TO TOP DEAD CENTER AND SEE WHERE THE ROTOR IS POINTING, #1 cylinder? IF NOT SPEND ENGINE ONE TURN, pointing at #1? If not then you may have jumped time. Take a scoket that fits the crank and turn the engine by hand. The rotor should start turning right away, the mor you move the engine without movement of the rotor shows slack in chain or belt.
Another possiblity is that you might have a crank sensor gone bad. Check for fire at the spark plugs. Take one out and, while the plug is laid on the engine, spin the engine, it should it should spark. Either way shows that the engine is not firing. Next is to do a compression check, ther should not be more than 10% difference between the cylinder. If no compression, you have an interfearance engine and jumping timing will bend the valve. Hope this helps.

Well the belt you see if the accessory belt not the timing belt/chain. It soulds like you may have jumped some teeth inside the engine or snapped that belt.

Could be one of a few problems by your description. Ignitor unit(inside distributor housing) has failed.which would have no spark. P.G.M.F.I main relay failed,lose of fuel. Or very possibly has a timin belt that has jumped time or broke,this either would sound(if broke)like engine is spinning extremely fast will cranking over,(can also have someone watch through oil cap hole and see if there is cam movement while cranking over)if jumped time engine will try and stumble start but not quite,possibly backfiring while trying to start.either or requires belt replacement minimum and very good possiility of bent valves.how many miles?

check backnnector on distributor assy. It's hard to find because is on the side just in the point nobody reach. Often it missconnect or broke. check, fix or re adjust as needed. check firing order of cables If not result.... 1.-unplug any spark cable and put a screwdriver inside it and place it in a safe place near a ground point. The object is try to see the spark jumping to ground. 1 or 2 cm will work for it. If you see spark, check fuel pump circuitry. uncap carburator and see if injectors spray gas when you try to engine. If you can see spark, change module inside the distributor cap.
if injector doesn't spray,check fuel pump, you must hear it for few seconds when you turn key to accs if you place your ear near thank. fuel pump work for few seconds but no spray on injectors: the same module above mentioned. if injector sprays and spark jump, the car must start

SOunds like the timing belt has broke. To check you can take off distributor cap and turn over engine and see if the rotor turns. If not you have a busted timing belt. Please rate this a fixya if this helps.Thanks!!!