Is the cable that goes from the battery to the frame (passenger side of the battery on my truck) the ground wire? I have been having trouble starting and mechanics replaced battery, starter, distributor to no avail. Still have trouble unless I jump it to start it. The cable described above is frayed. I asked them to check and say not the problem...but they don't check it. I am a brain injured person. Hope this makes sense and thank you rover guys! p.s. I have tried to download rave manual and it says not available.

 

 

The Battery Ground Cable #1 goes to the frame/chassis on the passenger side. I would check if the Battery Terminal is tight.
Also check/clean the ground contact surface on the frame.

The Ground Cable #2 was added by someone. Does/did your truck have a WINCH mounted?
If NOT, either way cable #2 can get mounted to the frame like cable #1.

 

Yes it did have a small winch which was removed when bumper changed about 1 1/2 years ago.
Thank you!

 

If the winch is gone I would remove the extra cable.
Mainly because the way the ring terminal doesn't lay flat against the battery terminal.

When you try to tighten the nut on the battery terminal it's going to fight with the other terminal and not always tighten properly. The bolt can also strip for the same reason.
If I was trying to find a "hard start"/battery draw problem I would eliminate the simple things like a potential loose battery terminal.
Just a thought....Good Luck!

" mechanics replaced battery, starter, distributor to no avail."

What distributor did they replace on a '97 DI?

 

 

My thoughts exactly, but I was hoping "distributor" was a misprint/mistake. I guess we'll see.

 

Ha ha Sorry guys.....alternator.

 

The cable you said to remove is attached to the alternator for some reason. See pic. Advise. Thanks.

 

It's probably just an additional ground wire which you can probably leave alone although I would suggest just as Over Rover did -- gotta sort out that negative battery terminal so that everything can be tightened down properly.