So I went back and re-removed the unit for further examination.
It almost seems like my piston is reverse locked. I pushed down ever so gently with a small wooden kebob stick to gain a measure for depth. There is a nice little audible click that comes from inside when I nudge that piston down approximately 1/2 inch from being flush at the top. When I release it there is another tiny audible click and it returns to the state in the picture above but never fully extends? Somethings catching it...I'm about to go re-harness it and mash the piston with my finger to see if it'll fire up! Be back soon with updates and the car in the driveway hopefully.
Afterthought just before leaving-it feels spring loaded but none of those pictures indicate anything pushing upwards? Only noticeable springs are the slide bolt that seems to "lock" it into the fully extended position like in your video??