# Speedometer failure **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 30, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-failure/25785 "2009-01-30T15:55:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dlpacetti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@dlpacetti](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlpacetti)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-failure/25785/1 "2009-01-30T15:55:07Z")
this morning the speedometer on my 2005 chevy cavalier quit working. why? is the car safe to drive? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-failure/25785/2 "2009-01-30T16:11:05Z")
Have you noticed if the transmission is shifting differently, or badly, since the speedometer stopped working? If so, then the problem is that your Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) has stopped working. This is a repair that any competent mechanic should be able to do for…hopefully no more than ~$125.00 total. No, the car is not dangerous to drive, but if it is shifting abnormally, I would suggest that you have the VSS replaced a.s.a.p. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-failure/25785/3 "2009-01-30T16:18:38Z")
It’s safe to drive. Why the speedometer stopped working I can’t say for sure, but I agree with VDCdriver that the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS), or the electrical connection to it, is the likely culprit. Have it checked.