This is a tad frustrating.

I've done everything as per the YouTube guide 'Skyrim Creation Kit: Puzzle Pillar Tutorial' by Starbucksisevil, except that I have four pillars instead of three. I just can't get the thing to work. Nothing happens when I flippity-the-switchety, regardless of pillar position. The door cannot be opened.

I have been running into the same problem. I have followed the same instructions as well, but the logic doesn't really make sense by linking everything to an Xmarker for the doors, but to have the lever open on success. Seems like I am missing something that the tutorials aren't showing. I have been to other created maps with no success on finding that small detail that will open the doors.