bill buttermore

I have run into this problem with Toyotas before. Most Toyota dealers will sell you a new set of copper contacts for your starter for about $10! I know of no other car dealer that offers such a kit. It is really cool thing about Toyotas. :y: The problem is that as the contacts arc with each start, they erode and the distance increases until eventually, the contact cannot reliably be made. In most cases, the new contacts extend the starter life by several years.

OK, with that good pic from toycrash, I think I got it figured out. The engine compartment badge is replaced (apparently) by the driver's door sticker in the U.S. Looking a little more closely at mine, I am guessing that I must have a C50 trans: So, if TM = transmission, what are C, TR, and A? Bill

Thanks, trd; it is FWD. And, I did find the model no. on the door sticker: AE92L-DEMDKA. When I searched aftermarket parts distributors for the drive shaft seals, using their search engines, they would show the '91 dx 4A-FE with c50, c51, or c52. But there was no way I could tell which I have. I just can't imagine there isn't a stamp or a code somewhere on the transaxle that will tell what it is! :y: While it is out, I want to replace the input shaft seal, as well as the drive axle seals. I've already done most of the seals on the donor engine. I hate to end up with leaks when it is so easy to insure against them with the drive train out of the car. Thanks again for the help. Bill

Hi, I'm Bill Buttermore from Ames, IA. I've been working on my own cars since 1966. I recently rescued a '91 Corolla with a 4A FE engine and a 5-spd manual transmission from my local junkyard. The engine was in many pieces, but the rest of the car is in pretty nice shape. I have pulled the engine and trans and want to change out the half shaft seals in the transaxle while I have the tranny out and up. But I can not find any information on what transaxle I have. I have the trans up on my hoist and the only ID I have found on it is a riveted metal tag that displays only the VIN. I searched this site, but found only reference to axle ratios referenced to the label in the engine bay. I found this info on the bottom of the label: 1A160 4A-FE federal and canada CATALYST E8 The VIN: 1NXAE94A8MZ166676 Can anyone help? Thanks, Bill