A control method/system for controlling the operation of an electric motor (32, 42) actuated shifting mechanism (28) is provided, which includes a procedure for periodically relieving trapped frictional forces in the shifting mechanism and associated linkages (30, 38, 40). At initiation of a shifting operation (60), or periodically (66) during a shifting operation, the level of energization of the electric motor is reduced from the full target energization level thereof (68) to a minimal level (70) for a relatively short period of time (72) and then returned to the target energization level thereof. Preferably, the level of energization is returned in a 2-step process comprising stepping the level of energization to an intermediate level (76) and then ramping the level of energization from the intermediate value to the level of full target energization thereof in a ramped fashion.