Update as I continue to troubleshoot anything I can replace.

Found something!

Sensor Wire but I think motor sensors instead.

I loosened motor and removed sensor wire. I then installed another tested sensor wire. It had the same problem as before. Since the motor was loose and no pinion was on it I figured I'd give it that "spin the motor shaft and see if the sensor lights glow in the RX8 test" That's where it gets ODD. I spun the motor and the light started to glow and then lit up bright and they one by one went across the LED's back and forth.

I did the patented "what the? error is that?" and shut it off. Turned it back on and it boots fine and runs. Makes you think it was the sensor wire at first but I reinstalled the sensor wire and now it boots fine as well. Chance that the rotor was stuck in a place where the sensor wasn't giving proper feedback??

Going through the motor now.