Speedo Cable Question

Ok Gents,

My speedometer hasnt worked since before I bought the car, so yesterday I decided to switch it out. I pulled the new one out of the box and noticed it doesnt have the giant cylinder thing (pic below)the stock one has. Got everything hooked up and pulled out the drive way and nothing. Heres my question, on the stock two piece speedo cable, the cylinder had a wire coming from it (same pic below) and on the replacement it was a single straight cable with no wire coming from it, is that why my speedometer isnt working? oh its a 72 318, with a 904 tranns.