Edward you are correct. from what you are describing those are the connections I cleaned. I have also thought about the battery as well. We have two of these machines I guess its time to start swapping parts. Also the no reverse condition started again on fri night a few twists of the throttle and it came back on. Everything else concerning the potentiometer seems good (ie forward speed) possibly dirty contactor as lift01 said maybe twisting the throttle ets some voltage flowing across contacts??? Thanks Ill swap batterys first.