WInch controller question

Chinese (get that out of the way early) winch with three posts - armature, and two directional circuits.

The solenoid controller is a two-solenoid set up.

When I switch it in, one solenoid switches a directional circuitand when I switch it out, the other solenoid switches the other directional circuit. At rest both directional circuits return to ground.

The winch ground appears fine.

So far so good.

But I do not get power to the armature circuit switched in or out...

This is where I am questioning my understanding of this thing - I thought that to drive it I needed power to the armature and one or other directional circuit with the opposite directional circuit being on rest.

Am I right? Does this mean the solenoid pack has been drowned in mud and water too many times?

I do find it strange that the solenoids appear to work in part anyway...