What is wrong?????

Went out to start up My 99 cougar. It started and began shaking, like it was going to stall out at any minute. I let it idle for a few minutes, figuring with the rain we had it just needed that. But no, put it in drive (while it was still shaking like an earthquake) and it obviously stalled out. There is little to no power to the gas when in park. Was out on Wed, and the car has been absolutly fine. Looked under the hood, I don't know what they are called but saw that wires that connect to the engine, towrds the back middle or in front of the windshield (looks like a plug) the yellowy/orange one was completly stripped and torn away. To the right (looking head on at car) Wires are completly ripped off of plug that goes to I think my brake fluid (ouch). My hubby does not think that that is causing the intense shaking and stalling of the car. Though I disagree. Anyone out there that has any idea what this is? Or what the heck happened? Need help!!! Car has just over 72,000 have done reg checks and matainence. Oh yah engine light is on too:banghead: :banghead:

Go to a parts store and get the trouble codes pulled from the computer. Then, post them back here so we can help.

I live in the booneys, but can when I get another vehicle. Thanks for your reply,really appreciate.

Is the check engine light flashing?

Check out newcougar.org/forums It is a board just for 99-02 cougar. Make sure to post a welcome post in the welcome section. Be sure to let people know what state you live in. Maybe there will be someone local that could help.

no it is steady on

can you take a picture of the wire thats torn. I can probably tell you what it is.

If you know where the wires go install new wires this is a quick cheap test.
Basically you have to start somewhere. Always replace bare wires unless you are certain they are disconnected.

Actually, squirrels had gotten into my engine. They chewed through the cylinder wires and that caused the engine to behave as it did, they also chewed through the (not sure what it is called) that tells my dashboard that somethings up. The light just stays on. Guess it was payback, we had evicted the darn squirrels from our attic and I chased them off the roof so we coud seal up the hole. They are nasty little things, I put mothballs under the hood and everything has been just fine since.