Rat(?) Damage. How bad is this?

looks like insulation, is it running okay?

 

sounds right. maybe the dealer can make a repair. if not, i would try to find the exact purpose and find an alternate solution if possible. you're lucky he only chewed the shielding.

more importantly, time to take some preventative measures, before something worse happens.

 

I don't think the damage to the outside gray weave covering is a very big deal, but the damage to the orange cables is. If I was in your shoes, I would first cut away the grey weave using scissors, then using some automotive electrical tape, do a tight wrapping, at least two layers over all of the damaged parts of the wire. Then I would use some automotive wire conduit to cover each of the 3 exposed orange wires (even though they're only popping out an inch or two, I'm sure you'll need less than a foot of conduit: example) and electrical tape them up to seal the orange wires in. At a very minimum cover up the damages to the orange wires with electrical tape.

Also be sure to be safe in performing these tasks. I don't believe there is any possible power on those wires unless the car is on, but if there is, you should disconnect the high voltage battery in the trunk by removing the safety tab/handle prior to work.

 

That's probably a bad idea. That's shielding that may cause issues if removed. If the OP does remove it then he probably needs to find some way to replicate it afterwards using some kind of conductive tape.

 

Hmm...When I had looked at it originally I thought it was a plastic shield, but now it looks like it's metal. If it's metal, I agree - there should be a metal wrapping around the overall cable to maintain the grounded, shielded cover.

 

I would also use rubber tape, we use it to wrap 480V, 400 AMP motor leads. it is a stretch tape.

 

Darn rats. I just caught 5 baby mice by hand all in my basement. When it gets cold they come to play