Hi so i was driving my car the otherday and it just died and wouldent start, so got it towed home. Plugged it in engine speed sensor fault so after a visual inspection i saw a nip in the wire as seen in the photo. I managed to get the car started and as soon as i touched the sensor it died instantly 2 times do you think that cut in the wire will be the issue? When it broke down i got it going but it sounded really bad white smoking and just died 

Yes.

 

Fix it with solder and heatshrink tubing.