speedometer shot dead
Thread Starter
n()m{^^}m()n
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 190
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From: NY
speedometer shot dead
not sure if something came loose and fell off from my engine, but after i ran something over on the highway, my speedometer dropped to zero and my mileage stopped working.. can anyone point me in the right direction on what to look for that would cause this problem? tks for the advises
Jpk3200
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 824
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From: San Antonio, TX
not sure if something came loose and fell off from my engine, but after i ran something over on the highway, my speedometer dropped to zero and my mileage stopped working.. can anyone point me in the right direction on what to look for that would cause this problem? tks for the advises
the instrument cluster is what holds your speedometer/tach/fuel level, etc. gauges...take it out, look behind it and make sure the cable is still connected.
make sure the cable is still in 1 piece.
make sure the cable is still attached to the transmission.
make sure the cable is still in 1 piece.
make sure the cable is still attached to the transmission.
Jpk3200
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
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Even though all the other gauges work (rpm, oil level, gas, temp), if the cable came off, shouldnt all the gauge be dead as well?
The speedo is the only mechanical gauge in the cluster, the rest are electrically actuated.
Now seriously, get under the car and check the cable...it's probably hanging free, chewed up by whatever you ran over.
In the time you've spent asking about this, you could have determined the cause.
You are just as retarded as 87 tt..........
You call me out....yet say the same thing.....
Brilliant debate tactic....brilliant indeed.
So let's get it straight from the beginning.
Rip out the dash cluster and look for damage......when you find none, jack up the car and look for a cable that hooks to the Tranny
that is a brilliant brilliant work flow.
You need to stop posting misinformation as well, you and 86 tt are hurting the new members with your lack of knowledge and spewing of opinions.
You call me out....yet say the same thing.....
Brilliant debate tactic....brilliant indeed.
So let's get it straight from the beginning.
Rip out the dash cluster and look for damage......when you find none, jack up the car and look for a cable that hooks to the Tranny
that is a brilliant brilliant work flow.
You need to stop posting misinformation as well, you and 86 tt are hurting the new members with your lack of knowledge and spewing of opinions.
the speedo cable connects from the back of the gauge cluster, to the transmission. so if the speedometer doesnt work its either...
not connected at the gauge cluster.
not connected at the transmission.
the cable is broken.
the drive gear inside the transmission is broken.
the speeometer is broken.
the most common problem is that it comes disconnected from the back of the gauge cluster. it takes all of 5 minutes to look. rip out the dash? again, you have no idea what you are talking about. it is more likely to become disconnected from the gauge cluster than the transmission as it simply clips onto the gauge cluster where it screws onto the transmission. its very possible the cable got caught on something and pulled out of the back of the speedometer.
i would like to hear your suggestions oh knowledgeable one.
again. go troll elsewhere.
Carter 2.0
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,262
Likes: 7
From: Irvine Ca.
Just put your jack under the driver side and lift it up, you'll see it.
Taking the dash apart is retarded, especially once you state clearly that no other damage with the cluster is exhibited.
jack the car up and look=10 minutes
Take the cluster out to look=all afternoon.
Holy crap that took a while 
Did you just peek under, or actually jack it up and crawl under? The cable *has* to be there if it worked before. But if you ran something over it may have tore it (the cable from the speedo cable head) off completely, thus you won't see anything dangling there from a quick peek. Look again.
EDIT: If its still there, unbolt the head and make sure that the *cable itself* (ie the thign that spins inside the cable sheath) is still there. it'll have a gear on the end that fits into the tranny............PS, when you pull it out you're going to lose some tranny fluid if you have any in there
Did you just peek under, or actually jack it up and crawl under? The cable *has* to be there if it worked before. But if you ran something over it may have tore it (the cable from the speedo cable head) off completely, thus you won't see anything dangling there from a quick peek. Look again.
EDIT: If its still there, unbolt the head and make sure that the *cable itself* (ie the thign that spins inside the cable sheath) is still there. it'll have a gear on the end that fits into the tranny............PS, when you pull it out you're going to lose some tranny fluid if you have any in there
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 119
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From: Tri-Cities, Tennessee
its your speedometer cable, and just hope that your cable itself didnt fall out on the road like mine did. it takes about 1 minute to fix as long as you can get your car on a lift or get under it somehow.
To the OP:
Remove your instrument surround. This is simple, as there are a only a couple screws holding it in.
Pull it towards you a few inches, and reach behind and unplug the harnesses for the switches. Remove the surround and set aside.
Unscrew the the actual gauge cluster. There are four screws holding it in.
Pull it towards you and reach behind it. Besides the two plugs, each with a bundle of wires attached to them, you should feel the speedo cable running into the cluster. If it is attached, press it into the cluster and make sure the clip catches. If not, you need to find the cable and reattach it.
Remove your instrument surround. This is simple, as there are a only a couple screws holding it in.
Pull it towards you a few inches, and reach behind and unplug the harnesses for the switches. Remove the surround and set aside.
Unscrew the the actual gauge cluster. There are four screws holding it in.
Pull it towards you and reach behind it. Besides the two plugs, each with a bundle of wires attached to them, you should feel the speedo cable running into the cluster. If it is attached, press it into the cluster and make sure the clip catches. If not, you need to find the cable and reattach it.
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 119
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From: Tri-Cities, Tennessee
do you drive an S4 or an S5? because the only thing that i am questioning is can you use an S4 speedo cable on an S5, or an S5 cable on an S4? not too sure on that one. i would think you would have to get one for an S4 or S5, depending on what you drive, since S4 and S5 gauges look different.