I was changing the transmission fluid in my 1994 W124 wagon today. After I got the pan back up I suddenly have this long cable hanging down and I can't figure out where it came from and where it is supposed to go.

I think it is my speedo cable, but I can't figure out why it would have so much slack in it. It's not loose on either end, there's just this large amount of cable hanging down.

I've had the car for years and never had problems with the speedo, or ever noticed this cable hanging down.

All that excess is exposed cable. The rotating cable that is supposed to be in its stationary sheath is not.How the sheath got loose from the trans is the question. No retaining bolt? I'm sure you have no speedometer function.

__________________
Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

Yes, that is the speedo cable. Never seen that happen before though.

yep, it seems to have broken toward the speedometer end. I was able to push the slack back into the sheathing, but obviously I don't have working speedometer now.

Not sure how this happened in the process of changing the ATF. When you remove the middle driver side tranny pan bolt the cable sags a bit. Perhaps it was close to breaking and that was all it took?