SCCM Bitlocker - will not start encryption

Good morning, all. 

I've ran through the following setup guides and both are giving the same results.

- https://msendpointmgr.com/2020/04/02/goodbye-mbam-bitlocker-management-in-configuration-manager-part-1/

- https://www.systemcenterdudes.com/sccm-mbam-integration/ 

We are on version 2403

I'm specifically getting the error

Unable to connect to the MBAM recovery and hardware service

Error Code -2147024809 

Details : the parameter is incorrect 

Looking at MSFTs documentation here 

- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/protect/tech-ref/bitlocker/client-event-logs#18-coreservicedown

This error occurs if the website isn't HTTPS, or the client doesn't have a PKI cert.

We do not have a PKI infrastructure, MECM is EHTTP and the website is HTTPS enabled as i can get to the site on the computer that is throwing this error  

- I've verified the laptop is in an OU with absolutely no bitlocker policies enabled 

- checked RSOP to verify there is nothing rogue 

- opened the firewall completely up for this machine 

- nothing glaring in either bitlocker logs under the CCM logs folder 

- Also, i can get to https://FQDN.com/sms_mp_mbam/coreservice.svc without any prompting for ID's or PWs 

unsure where else to check - been googling for the last day and cannot come across much with this specific error message if HTTPS is enabled