There COULD easily be corrosion at the motor terminal. I don't really think there's a "frame ground" under there, because, as you say, it's a plastic tub. Possibly you can "feel" the battery negative cable under there and see where it attaches that way.
I've never had to trace the negative battery cable, so I'm doing a lot of guessing. The wiring diagram in MY HiLo shows a direct connection.
- Jack