89 Civic hatch Si, Sohc ZC, L3 5spd

My speedometer cable has been disconnected at the transmission side for quite some time now, there was a broken end of another speedometer cable in it (unknown to me until yesterday lol). Now that I’ve got that cleared my cable goes in just fine and my cluster receives speed.

I’ve got some questions for y’all though. Is there some sort of seal or o-ring that goes on the speedometer cable (trans end)? I’ve got a manual that mentions a seal and o-ring. Doesn’t provide pics or any detail. There’s a groove that appears to hold one, I’ll attach a pic to show y’all what I’m thinking





In the following parts diagram #9 appears to be some sort of seal. https://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/v-1989-honda-civic-hatchback--si--5-speed-manual/transmission-manual--mt-clutch-release

But of course it’s discontinued, is it necessary?

#15 is an o-ring but I think that’s inside the trans somewhere? Is it replaceable with trans in the car? Does that entire speedo cable holder come out? Really wish my manual was more specific about this. Not even AllData helps. Hopefully one of y’all know more about the Speedo cable.

I really don’t want this thing to leak.

 

The groove is what holds the cable down into the drive mechanism in the transmission.
IF you looks on the sides of the mechanism (the part mounted to the transmission shown in yoru second pic) you will find a couple cuts.
This is where a clip goes that locks into the groove on the cable end.

Here's a pic of how this works
#1 is the part you see in your second pic
#5 is the clip.


you are missing #8 and #2 in your pic.
Those hold the drive mechanism into the trans.
Currently, without them installed, you can grab onto the piece with some pliers and give it a twist and break it free.
Then pull straight out. Sometimes they really get locked in there. No reason to take it out though so I would just put #8 and #2 back and install cable with the clip.

 

THANK YOU! I appreciate the explananation and it all makes sense now. I’m missing #2 (your diagram) and the clip. I can buy a clip from Honda, but #2 is dicontinued - is it just a simple metal piece with a hole in it? I can probably make one if that’s the case.

I was considering replacing the o-ring #7 in case it was leaking - that’s the reason I wanted to know if/how it comes out.

 

Right!
It's a metal tab that pushes down on the housing of the speedo gear that is in the transmission.
There is a groove in the side of the housing that the metal tab slips into I think to maybe keep it from rotating around..





and this is the slot that the clip goes into to hold the cable

 

Very helpful. I’m a good ways into my CRX resto and saw this not knowing I’m missing those too.

 

First off thanks again for those pictures of the actual speedo unit. Immensely helpful 4drEF!

Holy **** you’re right. It’s in there good. I’ve used most of my explicit vocabulary and a couple different pliers on that bad boy and still doesn’t break free. I put a screw driver and attempted to pry up in the groove for that tab but still no luck. I even gave it some light tapping with a hammer! I‘m tempted to say screw it and not bother with the o-ring. I don’t think it’s leaking that bad tbh, I can always just top it off from the fill port anyhow.

I hate to admit this in public but last night I could not get the clip to snap into the groove, maybe trying in daylight will bring me luck.

As for the (dust?) seal I was concerned about that goes over the speedo unit/cable I’m just using a length of hose that fits over it snugly.