the purchase of a vacuum tester is next on my list I guess. The grey line is plugged but there might be a leak somewhere that I'm not seeing. I always thought the default was air to the demister vents, but in my case it seems to be feet. I have a plan of action though.

1) 'un-couple' the two lines (black and grey) to ensure I remove that grey line from the equation
2) get under the dash to the switch and do a proper diagram of which lines go where (really want to avoid removing the dash completely as that's a big job) and what valves are hidden that I can't see
3) With a piece of testing tube, apply vacuum directly from the vacuum generator (I believe that sits under the passenger side headlight), and see if the actuator operates with vacuum directly applied.

 

The first thing i would do is remove that clear connector where the black and grey lines come together. I'm assuming it will just pull off. Then connect the 2 ends of the black line together with a piece of vacuum hose the right size and see what happens. You might even have a leak at that connector.

 

so, did that and still get the same issue. Leads me to believe it's one of two things

1) not enough vacuum (leak somewhere or vacuum generator issues) - The only thing I haven't tried yet is to completely remove that connector. I plugged all holes but will need to find a way to connect back line directly to the actuator (trip to auto parts store)
2) faulty/leaky actuator - not sure how to test that completely without another vacuum generator

I took another video and you see it trying to move....it just never gets there. If I help it along (24 seconds into the video) it will stay there until I switch back to feet.

 

You really didn't accomplish much there as you used the clear connector that has the 2 lines joined in it. That piece needs to be eliminated as the problem as it has the grey line connected to the back one. Will those hoses not come out of that connector?

Put a piece of vacuum hose on that nipple and suck on it to see if you can pull it in that way. If it does pull in then stick your tongue over the end of the hose and see if it stays pulled in or leaks off.

 

the hoses do come out, but right now I don't have a way of connecting the black line directly to the actuator. Hence a trip to the autoparts store of some suitable tubing. I do get what you are saying though