Update on this: I removed the actuator and set the tambour to the defrost position. I cut power to the car and then re-connected and started the car to allow the actuator to go through its calibration sequence, ending with it in the defrost position. I then reinstalled the actuator so that its defrost position matched the tambour defrost position. It does appear it was 180° out compared to the alignment marks on each component. All is well now and it behaves as it should. Pretty simple solution in the end. It just took me a while to get to due to…life.
Yeah, I don’t fully understand it and don’t know that I’m willing to commit any brainpower to trying to understand. If it works, it works.