SOLVED:

Just thought I would post this in case somebody else has a similar problem. I had a couple of problems at the same time.

Contactors needed some help, which solved the drive issues. Lift limit switch was the culprit for the lift trouble. I failed to test the switch which was an obvious oversight once I thought about it some more. I assumed the broken wire to the limit switch was the problem from the beginning, but did not think the switch was bad (it's a very heavy duty mechanical switch) I should have tested it. Maybe an operator had something wedged or stuck in the switch area that busted it on impact?

Strange that it all happened at the same time, but anyway, it's fixed (well the switch is bypassed till I can get another one)