Usually power on the controller's M1 and M2 wires is only present for a moment. If no sensor count is returned to the controller, the error message is displayed and no +/- dc voltage should be present on the M1/M2 terminals. The reed switch has low voltage/current that cycles open/closed by each passing magnet. I would expect that the front panel and remote operation would be identical.
You may have a defective VBox. Without a repeating sensor cycle after pressing East/West buttons, it would be difficult to troubleshoot.