Have to spin wheel backward to start motor

[YoSamES]

edit: fixed.

I'm working on a bike with a 250w geared hubmotor that exhibits these symptoms:
-Usually won't run via either throttle or PAS.
-If I spin the wheel backwards, then apply throttle, the motor starts every time. (at least the several times I did it.)
-It will then run (forwards) for anywhere from a few to several seconds, before it cuts out and won't restart, unless I stop it and spin the wheel backwards again.
-It makes a pretty loud whine when it runs. Way more than it would if it was working normally.

All of the wiring connections are super clean.
I think the bike has sat for quite a while. I've done some searching on the forum but have not found this particular thing.

Suggestions?

 

[Ykick]

I wouldn’t read too much into spinning the motor backwards and it then sorta working. Noisy, not very powerful sounds like a Hall/Phase timing issue? Have you checked the Hall sensor wires for switching per these troubleshooting links?

http://www.ebikes.ca/learn/troubleshooting.html

I’d start with Hall test and remember with a geared motor you would turn the wheel backwards to make the motor spin while probing Hall connector for switching on small Y/B/G wires.

 

[YoSamES]

No, I have not done any circuit testing at all. I will do that, thanks.

edit: I found the problem. The green wire fell out of the back of the white multi-wire connector block.