The speedometer in my N/A S5 Vert has always been a little off (reads 65 really going 60). Today after changed my fuel filter, I was driving out of my neighborhood and it went from reading the usual 40mph to 0 instantly. It will not regain life. I understand that it is cable driven from around the output shaft of the transmission straight into the instrument cluster, but I do not recall ever touching the cable. Does anyone have any idea what might have happened? I have changed many fuel filter in the past and never had this problem (though this is the first one on my fc). Is this just a coincidence? Or could I have messed with something? I plan to crawl under the car this evening when I get home to check it. What am I looking for?

 

I would think it is likely that the cable has become dislodged at the speedometer in the instrument cluster. There is a plastic clip that holds it in that becomes brittle over time and can break. It is possible you bumped the cable while changing the filter and that was enough motion to break the clip or dislodge it if it was already broken. Or it could be a coincidence.

Find the speedometer cable where it enters the firewall in the engine bay. Give it a gentle tug and see what happens.

 

The cable has probably either come off at the transmission or at the instrument cluster. If it came off at the transmission and you drove any length of time it's probably trashed from dragging on the ground while you drove.

If you end up having to replace it do this to make it easier. Tie some rope/string to the end connecting to the instrument panel. Then pull the cable and rope through the firewall. Leave the rope hanging out of the firewall and use it to help get the cable through all the spaghetti behind your dash.

 

the cable runs right next to the fuel filter, so i bet in the moving things around you pulled it out of the cluster.

 

Damnit. Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.

 

I will put it on ramps and post pictures when I get home so you can see whatever damage there may be.

 

Also, about 2 minutes after I had already disconnected the upper fuel line (lower one disconnected) and I was out from under the car, the car poured liquid on to the driveway for a few seconds. I assumed it was gasoline that randomly released from the rails, but I'm starting to think it was tranny Fluid from the cable. It was not on level ground.

 

These are the pics I took of where the cable connects to the output shaft housing, and the firewall. They both seem to be intact. Am I missing something here? Is the problem inside of the cluster? The cable is intact between the two points. Also, the fluid I saw was gasoline (I checked the driveway) and it was far from the cable.

 

Edit : just found out the speedometer freely moves in and out of the firewall. I'm guessing it's no longer connected to the cluster.

 

Speedo cable plasticy bit that attaches to the instrument cluster is broken. Any suggestions?

 

not sure if there is enough room to do this, but maybe you could put a small self tapping screw through the metal housing of the cable and lightly into the plastic of the speedometer.

Or get a good cable.

 

I ordered another cable for $30. But that would be a good idea, I would have needed to disconnect it from the Trans housing to pull it through the dash a little empire though, then reassemble the dash, and reconnect.

 

No, that wouldn't work.
It's new cable time, which I see the op has already ordered.