Nissan Repair: spedometer cable, nissan stanza wagon, nissan stanza

Question
Hi Von,

I've got a 87 Nissan Stanza Wagon. I recently removed and reinstalled my transmission, but I gave the speedometer cable a good yank during the job and now it is not working.  The cable looks fine it has a squareish end on either side but if I push the cable into the firewall and spin it, I get no reaction from my odometer.  Do I just have to buy a new cable?  Do I have to go into the dash?  Oh, also, do you know if a car can pass British Columbia's air care without the speedometer working?  

Answer
Ryan,

To change the speedometer out you will need to remove the cluster.  It is really a pretty easy job.  You probably stretched the cable inside and it is bound up or broken inside.  I do not know about the British Columbia Air Care standards.  If they have to put it on a dynometer and the wheels have to be turning they would not pass it.  if it is a stationary check like most places the speedometer does not move so they should not care.  Think back to the last time you took a vehicle in for the SMOG check and if it is only being hooked up to a machine without the wheels being spun you should be fine.