Why does a Saturn speedometer not work when the odometer does?

In a Saturn, the speedometer and odometer often rely on different sensors to function. While the odometer tracks the distance traveled using information from the vehicle's transmission, the speedometer typically relies on a Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) for real-time speed readings. If the VSS fails or has a wiring issue, the speedometer will stop working while the odometer continues to function normally. Thus, a malfunction in the speed sensor is usually the culprit when the speedometer is non-functional but the odometer still operates.