A method for reducing performance variation of an electromagnetically-activated actuator having an electrical coil and an armature includes providing actuator activation signals to the electromagnetically-activated actuator. The signals include current driven through the electrical coil in a first direction. The method detects unacceptable response variations in the armature to equivalent actuator activation signals. And, subsequent to detection of unacceptable response variations in the armature, current is driven through the electrical coil in a direction opposite that of the first direction following actuator activation signals.