disconnected negative terminal (was disconnected ~15min)
replaced actuator with new (used/tested) unit
reconnected everything
turned dual sliders to HEAT
turned on vehicle
turned on fan to max speed
verified hot air blowing out of vents
slid to COLD
visually watched the motor turn the door all the way to the cold (clockwise) position, and once again continue to do the same thing and "wander" around and finally settle on a warmer/HOT setting.
any ideas what to check for next? an issue from the hvac unit itself?