I don't know the answer to this, but while you're replacing it, do yourself a big antitheft favor and move the cable away from you wheel well; say, to the inside of your engine compartment. If you ever get an alarm without hood pins a thief can pull out the lining of your wheel well, cut the cable and open your hood. Giving full access to your alarm without getting into your car and without triggering shock sensors. But thats only if you have an alarm....

Sorry i don't know more about the cable...