Any error codes? I believe your model still has OBD I so you could read the codes via CEL. Somebody else may comment. I have a '95.
Otherwise, try the following:
1. Air. Check the air intake hoses for wear etc. Open the air filter compartment and take a look. Maybe it is plugged up. Leave it open for the moment. Tap gently on the MAF - they sometimes go bad. Then try to crank it again.
2. Fuel. Do you hear the pump coming on as you turn the key (without cranking the engine)? If not - check the fuse. If it is good then you need a new pump. If so - remove the flex hose connected to air intake. Find a black plastic cap on the fuel lines below. Take it off. Take a rug and wrap it around the exposed valve. Press on it with a small screwdriver. Keep you face away - the fuel should squirt a few inches. This is not a very sophisticated method but it will tell you if your pump is dead or alive.
2a. Reassemble the air intake. Take off the vacuum hose of the fuel return valve (to the right, just above the injectors). This will prevent the valve from shuttting the fuel off. Crank it.
3. Spark. Take the fuel pump fuse out for this test. Remove one of the spark plug wires and connect it to a spare plug. Put it somewhere so the thread touches the engine (do not hold it by a hand). Have someone crank the car while you watch the spark. You should see it even during daylight.
3a. Spark plugs themselves. Take them out one after another and look at the gap area. You may have some nasty deposits. Clean them and put them back in, or, depending on the condition - replace them.
4. Timing belt. Remove the cover on the left side (2 screws) and look at it while someone is cranking the engine. See if it appears OK along the entire length. Any signs of wear may indicate that it jumped a tooth ot two...
Then let us know. The above are the external tests that may help identify the obvious stuff. We may need to dig a bit more based on your status.
95 Contour GL
