You were wise not to touch it.

I've replaced scores of harnesses and the worst I have seen was a bunch of cars towed, but I have heard of fiires and control units shorted out and damaged. If I see what your pictures show I quit doing diagnostics on the vehicle till the harness is repaired. We always do a hands free observation before major surgery as just touching that harness will creat issues the become "since you worked on it" problems.

I wouldn't consider using a car with such an issue. It doesn't go away.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician