Rear hatch actuator won't latch

Hey guys, having problems with my 05 4runner sr5 v6. The rear hatch actuator stopped latching closed one day, so I took it apart and found some damage to the plastic that covers the hook. So I ended up replacing the whole thing

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=5411292&cc=1431016&pt=13397

Put that one in and reset the fuse for ECU-B, and I can activate the soft close manually by pressing the hook with a screwdriver. It operates smoothly and easily. Go to close the hatch and I can hear and see the hook is engaging slightly. But it just doesn't engage enough to trigger the actuator.

I tried everything my searches lead me too, and even lubed up the new actuator. Then I ended up getting desperate and getting one from Amazon:

$44 Rear Hatch Latch Actuator for Toyota 4Runner 2003-2009 Back Door Lock Assembly Trunk Latch Replace Toyota 69110-35090 69110-35062 69110-35060 Tailgate Lock Liftgate Actuator Rear Gate Latch Motor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092HM4KY7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Honestly looks the same quality and operates even a little more smoothly, but in the end it did the same exact thing. Everything seems to be lined up perfectly between the latch point on the body, and the actuator, and there's no damage or accidents to the rear hatch to cause misalignment or anything.


Any ideas??

 

The attached service manual pages may be helpful.

 

Those are great, thank you.

The problem seems to solely be a mechanical issue, not electrical. The 2 new actuators have performed exactly as intended in the manual.

The latch seems physically impossible to move into the "harf-latch" position when closing the hatch, but functions as expected with the screwdriver test. Nothing is physically blocking the hatch from closing. I can peak through the cracks of the closing hatch and see and hear the latch engaging the hook on the chassis, but only gets about a 1/4 of the way latched.

With the screwdriver test, the latch moves to the "harf-latch" position, then actuates the lock as intended.