Methods and systems are provided for determining a reference position associated with a variable geometry member. One exemplary method involves actuating the variable geometry member in a first direction with a first reference torque and obtaining a first position associated with the variable geometry member in response to the first reference torque. After actuating the variable geometry member with the first reference torque, the method continues by actuating the variable geometry member in the first direction with a second reference torque that is less than the first reference torque, obtaining a second position associated with the variable geometry member in response to the second reference torque, and identifying the second position as the hard-stop reference position when a difference between the first position and the second position is less than a fault threshold.