Melted Speedometer Cable - Missing Firewall Heat Shield

Speedometer stopped functioning due to the speedometer cable melting from exhaust heat. The heat shield that protects the cable where it passes near the exhaust manifold/downpipe area was missing, having been removed by a shop during a prior head gasket repair and never reinstalled.

The factory heat shield that protects the speedometer cable from exhaust heat was removed during a previous head gasket repair and not reinstalled, causing the cable to overheat and melt where it runs near the exhaust manifold and downpipe.

Moderate confidence — Multiple community members agreed on this solution