Guard Band Control of an Actuator in a Turbocharger

A variable position device (25) for a turbocharger includes a turbine wheel (24). A fluid diverter (26) for diverting exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel (24) is moveable inclusively between a first and a second end-stop position (80, 104, 82, 106) defining an end-stop span (84, 108). An actuator (46) is in operable association with the fluid diverter (26). The actuator (46) is configure to, in an operation mode, selectively move the fluid diverter (26) inclusively between a first and a second guard band position (88, 110, 90, 112) defining a guard band span (92, 114) that is less than the end-stop span (84, 108). The actuator (46) is configured to, in a first mode, move the fluid diverter (26) to a first reduced guard band position (94, 116) that is inclusively between the first end-stop position (80, 104) and the first guard band position (88, 110), and apply a constant force to the fluid diverter (26) to hold the fluid diverter (26) in the first reduced guard band position (94, 116).