last week the speedo stopped working in my mk2 escort van, i took the cable of the gauge and lifted the rear of the van, started it and ran it in gear, the inner cable is not turning, what could be the cause be? also ive had a look on the gearbox i see a C clip holding the cable in place, how do you get it off if you dont have the correct C-clip pliers

cheers, thanks in advance

Could be a broken cable. You can pull the inner out from the gauge end and examine its condition.
As for the circlip just go and buy the proper pliers, it will make you feel like a real technician. (Sorry for the flippant reply but if it was me I dont have to be told twice to buy more tools. Cheers,...ron)

If you really have to you can use a small screwdriver, make sure you have some rag handy to hold against it as it will disappear at a great rate of knots when it lets go. Even tho its made of spring steel you can still distort the arms so try to lever it out evenly. if you get pliers there are those that have removable heads-usually a kit with interchangeable head to cater for different types of circlips.
Len

thanks guys, ive pulled out the inner speedo cable out and it has snapped
 
does anyone know the part number for the mk2 2ltr speedo cable, ive found a nos one but it doesn't say if its for a (1.1 - 1.3 - 1.6) or a 2ltr, i want to make sure its right one first
 
part number is 

all fixed now thanks guys, ive bought a NOS cable did the trick