TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE CABLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING LINE WHICH CAUSED THE INSULATION TO WEAR, AND THUS AN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 01V031000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING THEM CORRESPONDENCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.