speedo stop working, help please

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

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

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