hah, got same thing today
One Berlingo not driven (sat). Checked 12V battery and drove it a little (to remove it from parking place) . All was OK. Drove forward and back just fine, a couple of meters.
Went for dinner, came back and wanted to drive it back more. Put reverse, and then heard knocking from motor, then blue smoke from under bonnet so immediately turned it off. Symptoms were knocking as like "something is stuck" and clicking - definitelly from motor. Also smoke was from motor. When removed fan and rubber it smelled (a little).
Now Berlingo drives ONLY forward, not in reverse - but besides that all is OK (drives forward normally).
Took controller to another berlingo and also second one won't drive back.
So the problem is 100% controller damage (drives only forward) but probably also engine(?)
I don't want to risk another controller to put it in that one blingo and try to drive it back. So it will probably blow another controller.
Luckily I know a man in Poland who will repair controller for very good price, but what is the problem with knocking/blocking motor?
Tomorrow I'll check the brushes. Maybe they're short and made that damage?
Quick look at commutator - seems fine. Also when driving forward it drives normaly (smooth). Damn!
So when I put it in reverse it got damaged controller, went blue smoke and that's all
Any ideas?
So Harry Morris - you have same problem (drove a little just fine, went for something, came back and blue smoke). So all I can tell you Harry is that your controller is definitelly damaged, and when you try putting another one - you risk to damage it also.
Damage is in traction section of controller - and it is definitelly repairable. We got same problem, just in mine still works when driving forward.
And yours turn on but won't drive front/back? Blue smoke was also viewed from drivers seat (RHD Berlingo)