Stop in for a cup of coffee
Buddy’s 14 gmc. No 4wd. New 4wd actuator $700. Found amazon one for 270 to the door. Junk in the box. Proved the truck’s controller and switch are good.
Robbed old smoked actuator of its circuit board and installed it. Problem solved. I have zero experience with this setup, but i did manage to muddle through.