Quote:

Can I bypass the canister to eliminate that as a problem ? Will the system work without it?




Yes

Run a hose straight from the intake fitting to the hood mounted actuator, if it works. You have enough vacuum to operate the system, and your problem lies elsewhere.

if it doesn't, you either have low vacuum ( you ck'd it I assume ? ) or a bad actuator


If The car I just finished works it, yours should.
As it only takes maybe 5 inches or so of vacuum to operate the actuator. I assume you don't have a hand held vacuum pump?