ok, let's see.... pinion isn't slipping, antenna has no effect. i'm a bit lost on the suppression capacitors, but if those are the deals that come off of each terminal, turn into something that looks like a small aspirin, and then join together in a solder on the motor housing, those look fine as well. at least to the eye.
the glitches compound when i hold the motor in my fingers, but settle down when the controller is turned on. i think i might try a new motor and see what happens. thanks for all of the help!