where did this 'other' controller come from?
is it new? or just swapped out from another truck?
is it the same type/model controller?

there is a slight possibility that it could be wired up wrong but the cables are pretty much in thier respective places and it would be hard to get the armature and field cables mixed up. If he happened to cross the terminals on A1 and A2 it may have some strange effect such as this. Also could be the wrong controller.

edwardt is on track tho with the info he posted. Maybe you should backtrack and make sure before you blow another controller. :o)

As for a setting causing this? That would only happen after the truck starts up and it would code out, not what you are describing. Now there could be some setting that might cause this but generally it would code out as i already said.
The controller goes into a 'self check' when turned on and it is seeing a problem when the line contactor pulls in and is shutting the controller back off to help protect it. Most likely a wiring or motor issue.