as for the plastic guard thing...the same thing happened to me...i coughed up the dough to get it replaced b/c it is put there to protect some electircal stuff and prevent ecssesive water and dirt from entering the engine bay. if you can find one at a junk yard it'll save you lots of money, very easy to install if you have the right plastic retainers. otherwise, duct tape and zip ties.

--andrew