A motor drive unit includes a voltage inverter, a controller, and reconnect logic. The voltage inverter provides motor drive signals to an associated motor. The controller is operable to generate demand signals for at least two control axes for controlling the voltage inverter. The reconnect logic is operable to direct the controller to inject a current into a first control axis. The reconnect logic is further operable to monitor a voltage of a second control axis to detect zero crossings and determine a speed of the associated motor based on the detected zero crossings.