I missed one. Neutral is for automatic transmissions, a clutch signal is for manual transmissions. I just looked in the Service Manual. There are 4 pages on the TCCM (transfer case control module).
Doesn't look like there is much in the book with diagrams. The NV273 does have a Mode Sensor, the Selector Switch, and the Shift Motor (actuator). The mode sensor monitors the shift motor's shaft position. The switch supplies various resistance to the mode sensor supply voltage pin and the mode sensor output. The resistance for 4 Lo is 1050-1450 ohms.
I have this same set up in mine. It's all good until stuff like this happens. I grew up with transfer cases that had 2 manual shifters.
Sounds like if the shift motor is good, it's the communication from the TCCM. The TCCM is asked to do the shifting by the selector switch. Seems the mode sensor knows what you wanted from the selector switch and verifies it at the shift motor. The TCCM tells the shift motor what to do (supplies the power). I don't see anything about testing the motor.