The force limited valve actuator operates on light-duty valves. The actuator includes signal controlled motor which drives a two piece threaded screw-nut drive. The nut connected to the motor and the screw connected to the valve stem. The nut has a spring loaded actuation surface/plate. The nut body has a positional indicator stem used as a valve-motor control. Operationally, the screw-nut-set moves between first, second and third positions. First: actuation plate at neutral and valve-stem at valve OPEN stop (example). Second: screw protrudes outboard of nut and valve-stem at CLOSE stop and actuation plate at neutral. Third: plate moves away from valve-stem (beyond neutral) while stem at CLOSE which third movement is a force sensor. First, second and third positions are all one way screw rotation. Force limited on stem by damper-shock absorber action. The positional indicator effects ON-OFF valve control.