Since I was not getting any ground continuity from the black wire near the actuator, and with the heads-up that they break at the door boot from stress, I cut the black wire about 12" from the actuator and drilled a small hole and screw grounded it directly to the door. The cut piece pulled right out and sure enough it was sheared at the door boot. The pull knob and the door lock both operate properly now.
QUESTION: I'm assuming the two hot wires are in the process of breaking also. How do you fish new wires along through the door boot and to the four-prong plug under the dash?