Ok, I want to repair my odometer....used the paint can tools to get the instrument panel loose, undid speedo cable from clip at the foot well.... and can trace the cable to the transmission.

it seems like there is a plastic housing hold the speedo cable in. I simply don't know how to remove it to undo the cable.

I have a 1988 300e. The Mercedes manual says the speedo cable must be disconnected to remove the cluster. I agree.

I have searched 100 posts and most just say there is a 10mm bolt holding the cable to the tranny...like I said...I seem to have a plastic housing covering it.

I just replaced my speedo cable in my 87 300D and the only thing holding the cable to the tranny was a 10mm bolt! I don't know if this will be any help but the bolt on my tranny holds the cable to the tranny. It screws into the cast body of the tranny around the speedo cable port of the tranny and squeezes the end of the cable firm to the tranny speedo port. I saw no plastic cover you described.

..............BB

I'm pretty sure you don't want to remove the gauge cluster with the speedo cable attached. Snaking the speedo cable back into place is a challenge.

The speedo cable unclips from the back of the gauge cluster without tools. Something like a release tab IIRC.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Are you sure you're looking at the speedo cable where it attaches to the transmission? It attaches at the far end of the transmission just to the driver side of the top. There's a bowden cable that attaches about a third of the way back from the front of the transmission on the right side.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

yes, but are the cables different for different s?

I have a 1988 300e

I was able to unscrew the cable from the cluster..

Couldn't really find anything wrong with the odo gears.....played with them a little and got the odomoter to 000.5.

I will put everything back together and see if this works..

I suspect someone mash the trip odo while the car was running

well as a newbie, i was hoping to contribute something...but when i put everything back together...the odometer/trip meter still doesn't work....

maybe the spindle is turning, but the gears are not..

the gears actually look brand new..

Hi,
Your odometer problem could be similar to the one I had a while back. There are a large number of posts on the subject.
The gist of the repair is to insure that the internal gear does not slide on the shaft when the shaft is turning. This gear is not really visible and does not need to be. The idea is to remove the shaft by pushing it out with a similar size rod or allen key while making sure that the rod replaces the shaft as it is pushed out so that the number wheels do not fall out. The next step is to crimp the end of the shaft (with a pair of pliers) to make lenghtwise serrations on the end of the shaft. When you will push the shaft back you will feel a resistance when you reach the gear.
Use a small hammer to force the shaft in the gear. The gear will not slip anymore. Hope this does it for you.
Regards,
Jacques.

__________________
J.R.

Hey Jacques:
Would you be available to fix mine? It has been inoperative for at least 6 years.
JacquesD
(Montreal South Shore)
1989 260E

I will investigate this option...it seems a little intimidating to me, but I can't be any worse than it is now (with odometer not working)

Do you remember what size allen key is the same as the shaft?