Trunk latch in FRC has quit working with the trunk release button on dash.

Tried to follow the GM shop manual's 20 something steps to troubleshoot, but lost patience after finding editing errors in the manual (coupe and FRC instructions were mixed together).

The minifuse #26 and minirelay #39 (fusebox in passenger foot well) are both good and functioning with release button, i.e., the relay kicks and the fuse does not blow.
Tried to check continuity of signal to the latch by temporarily wiring a lamp into circuit, but could not confirm good or bad when dash (momentary) switch is activated. Not sure why lamp won't blink?
Good ground at rear, based on circuit #150 working for the "trunk open" switch, the latch uses same ground.

Finally ran 12 volts (portable hotshot battery) directly in series with a lamp to the trunk latch and latch still does not function.

It seems to me that putting 12 volts across the trunk latch solenoid is the correct function test - am I missing anything? Is there a reason GM doesn't include this check?
Does everyone agree that I need a new trunk latch? The inability to confirm that signal reaches the latch still puzzles me.

thanks in advance for any help.