Changed 02 Camry SE's battery 2 weeks ago and the speedometer quit working (needle motionless and rests full right, even when driving). Checked instrument panel fuse and it wasn't blown.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

The speedo problem started right after you changed the battery?

You connected the battery cables correctly the first time (not reversing them)?

If the car has an auto trans is it shifting OK, does the cruise control work OK?

 

Yep, the speedo quit working right after the battery change. Connected the cables correctly the first time. The car is manual and the cruise control is still working well.

The only other thing out of the ordinary is that the lighted/glowing ring that goes around the ignition switch quit working at the same time as the battery change/speedo break.

 

Someone reccomended that we hit the dashboard, and we figured it was worth a try before taking it in...and it worked!

Hit the side of the dashboard in between the instrument panel five or six times and the speedometer needle popped back over! It works fine now!

 

Good work!

The needle was just stuck in the full right position?

 

Yep, the needle was just stuck all the way to the right past the 140 mph mark!

Now if we only knew how to fix the lighted ring around the ignition switch... It was so easy to start the engine at night, and now we search with the key to start the ignition for a few extra seconds when it's dark!

 

Power to the light is from the Dome fuse, are the other interior lights working?

You should be able to access the ign key system and lighted ring by removing the split cover on the steering column. However if you have a key with a transponder chip be advised the key amplifier is also in the same area as the lighted ring. You don't want to damage the amplifier.