no speed reading

When I did my clutch a few weeks ago, I was not able to get the speedo cable back into the trani, and since then, I have been using my tach to guess my speed. Since I need to make a highway trip in a few days, I'd like to get this one fixed up. Anyone know any tricks for getting the cable to seat properly. It looks simple enough, but half a dozen attempts, and I still don't have a speed reading. I have a check engine light on (since I did the clutch job), could the cable not being connected be responsible for the light?

Jai

its probably why your light is on, there is a speed sensor built into the speedometer and if its not turning the computer will kick a code, why couldn't you get the cable back in?

why couldn't you get the cable back in?

I don't know. I have pushed it in where it is supposed to be, and reattached the clip. Everything looks right, but there is no response on the cluster. Maybe it is just a matter of getting the notch at the end of the cable to line up properly with the part on the transmission. I was hoping that someone would know of a common reason why they don't line up properly. I guess I could detach it from the back of the cluster and try to make it work, but well, that is a big pain in the ass.

Jai

what i do is pull about 6" of cable out of the end on the housing. then using a flashlight i can see the 2 slots in the peg sticking up and line the tab on the cable up with one of them and slide the center of the cable into it. once you do that you just slide the cover back over the cable and put the clip in

Thanks for the feedback. Will this pop it out of the back of the instrument cluster, requiring me to line up that end after I push the cable back into the housing? Or will that little square end just pop back into place when it starts turning again?
Jai

the little square part should just pop itself back into the center of the speedometer, if it doesn't you can spin the cable a little with your hand and then put it back into the tranny. if its not into the back of the speedometer it won't go down far enough to put the clip in

I like to get the front wheels off the ground, put the car in first gear while idling, and apply a gentle pressure on the cable down onto where it seats, and wait for the grooves to match - it'll step down all by itself into place. Then just replace the retaining clip and set the car down. Works every time, no messing with the cluster or pulling the inner cable out of the housing. Nice and simple.

MechanicMatt

I like to get the front wheels off the ground, put the car in first gear while idling, and apply a gentle pressure on the cable down onto where it seats, and wait for the grooves to matchOr I could just find a long straight road, put it in idle, climb out, pop it in place, and get in again before the car hits something. lol I'd at least get points for style.

Thanks for the help everyone, I got it back in. I was only able to pull the cable about a half an inch out of the housing, but it was enough to see what I was doing.

I've actually done that in the parking lot adjacent to my work area lol! Well good to hear you've got it done.

-MechanicMatt