Electronic Actuator Testing & Repairing

The latest method of turbocharger boost control on many of the manufacturers units is via electronic turbo actuators. Electronic turbo actuators are currently the most accurate type of turbocharger boost control and, as they are controlled by the engine's ECU, it means that adjustments can be made in tiny increments at any given turbo boost pressure in any given situation. The use of the electronic actuators means improved spool up times and increased efficiency, resulting in more power and better fuel economy. By introducing another electronic control component into already a highly sophisticated system, there are bound to be downsides. In this case, it is faulty turbo electronic actuators.

As part of many turbo manufacturers' "No Repair Policy", if you have a faulty electronic actuator, it would mean you would have to replace the complete turbocharger as the actuator itself will not be available on its own. As you can imagine, this is going to be an expensive repair, but we can offer a solution!

We are able to offer not only electronic actuator testing, but also electronic actuator reconditioning to many of the current range of turbochargers. Our electronic actuator testing service involves us running your turbocharger's actuator on our test bed to ensure that it works efficiently without error and that it can reach its full working parameters. All units are delicately cleaned internally to ensure all electrical components are free of dirt, which can affect the unit's ability to process information received and also to ensure all moving components are damage free.

We then pack and return to the address of your choice for only £30 inc vat and delivery!


What if the Turbo Electronic Actuator is damaged?

We can recondition many electronic actuators to an "as new" condition, overcoming 90% of possible faults. If we cannot repair your unit, we don't charge... simple!


Garrett Electronic Actuators

We can recondition Garrett electronic actuators, including replacement the motor and gear, replacement actuator worm gear and also circuit board repairs. To ensure a quality repair to your actuator we use:

High quality replacement motor

High quality plastic replacement worm gear (original strength to ensure reliability)

The cost to recondition to a turbocharger electronic actuator starts from £125 which includes VAT and return delivery. Turnaround time can vary depending on the fault, but all actuators are ready to return within 10 working days.

We also are increasing our range of aftermarket electronic actuators, which are on the shelf ready to go. This will greatly reduce the timescales of turbo repairs and can get you back on the road in under 24 hours! Please enquire for availability and terms.


What Electronic Turbo Actuator units can we test?

We can currently test 95% of the current electronic actuators in circulation, please see below.

Garrett Electronic Turbo Actuator G Numbers

Hella Turbo Actuator

G-01

G-001

G-02

G-09

G-013

G-014

G-015

G-13

G-20

G-21

G-23

G-24

G-25

G-27

G-28

G-29

G-31

G-32

G-33

G-34

G-35

G-36

G-40

G-42

G-44

G-45

G-48

G-49

G-50

G-53

G-54

G-61

G-62

G-64

G-66

G-72

G-74

G-79

G-88

G-92

G-93

G-96

G-103

G-105

G-107

G-108

G-109

G-125

G-131

G-135

G-136

G-138

G-139

G-149

G-167

G-169

G-185

G-186

G-187

G-188

G-199

G-203

G-206

G-208

G-211

G-219

G-221

G-222

G-271

G-273

G-276

G-277

G-282

G-285

G-290

H-02

H-03


G numbers are situated on the the side of the alloy base on the Garrett Turbo Actuator.


Supported Hella Electronics numbers:

712120 6NW 008 412

712120 6NW 009 206

712120 6NW 009 420

781751 6NW 009 660

763797 6NW 009 543

752406 6NW 009 206

730314 6NW 009 228

758353 6NW 009 228

761963 6NW 009 483


The electronic actuator on many of the Garrett turbochargers are a Hella Universal Turbo Actuator of UTA:

  • Applications: variable nozzle turbine for diesel engines
  • HELLA sensor technology CIPOS® (Contactless Inductive Position Sensor)  
  • Intelligent electronics design (implemented control algorithm) 
  • PWM and CAN interface available
  • Worm gear system for reduced current consumption
  • Also available as standard version (PWM, analogue or SENT interface)
  • Various connecting elements (dimension and mounting angle)

To keep downtime to a minimum, we can supply a BRAND NEW replacement electronic actuator gearbox for your Garrett Hella equipped turbo. By simply removing the 6 retaining clips and removing the cover and fitting to your new gearbox, your electronic actuator is repaired and ready to get you back on the road!


Siemens Turbo Electronic Actuators (used on KKK Borg Warner units)

5304 970 0050

5900 110 7027

059 145 725


BV50 0054

5900 110 7032

059 145 725 E


5304 970 043

5900 110 7011

059 147 725


BV50 0055

5900 110 7055

059 145 725 J


5304 970 0035

5900 110 7027

059 145 725



Hella Electronic Turbo Actuator Numbers (used on Mitsubishi units):

49135-05895

49135-05885

49135-05860

49135-05850

49135-05840

49135-05830

49135-05760

49135-05880

49135-05630

49135-05671

49135-05670

49135-05651

49135-05650

49135-05641

49135-05640

49135-05620

49135-05610

49335-00440

49335-00230

49335-00220

49490-93501


PLEASE NOTE: ALL ACTUATORS MAY REQUIRE CALIBRATING TO YOUR ACTUAL UNIT TO ENSURE BOOST CONTROL IS ACCURATE AND THE VEHICLE IS KEPT IN SAFE PARAMETER. FOR THIS REASON, WE REQUIRE THE COMPLETE TURBOCHARGER AND ACTUATOR IN ORDER FOR US TO CALIBRATE THE ACTUATOR BACK TO YOUR UNIT!


How do I know if my Turbo Electronic Actuator is faulty?

The easiest way to diagnose a faulty electronic turbo actuator is by plugging in fault-finding equipment into the cars Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) plug. However, this fault-finding equipment isn't always required and in some cases is known to give incorrect answers, so a manual test can be undertaken:

  • Locate the turbocharger and the electronic turbo actuator
  • Monitor the arm of the electronic actuator as the vehicle engine starts. The arm should move freely to close the VNT mechanism
  • Gently rev the engine again whilst watching the electronic actuator arm linkage. The arm should move as the engines RPM rises and drops
  • If the actuator linkage does not move during this test, then we need to confirm if the VNT mechanism is jammed, preventing the actuator linkage arm from moving or if is a faulty actuator
  • With the the Borg Warner and Mitsubishi electronic actuators, the turbo arm linkage can be moved by hand (ensure the vehicle ignition is turned off)
  • Ensuring that the arm travels over the whole operating range without jamming will rule out the Nozzle Ring or VNT are not jammed
  • On the Garrett Hella electronic actuators, you need to remove a circlip connecting the linkage to the Electronic Turbo Actuator. With the linkage removed from the actuator, move the linkage to open and close the VNT to ensure it operates over its whole working range without sticking. This will rule out the VNT.
  • By ruling out a sticking VNT we can narrow down the issue to a possible faulty actuator or the actuator being out of calibration


Typical fault codes shown on diagnostic equipment pointing towards a faulty electronic turbo actuator include:

P132A

P132B

P139A

P1952

P1953

P2263

These engine fault codes have been known to point to a faulty turbo actuator, but this isn't always the case, and testing and further inspection is advised.