MX13 turbo actuator issues

[mikkhh]

Got one MX13 with 175 000 miles. It started throwing VTG turbo actuator Power Supply Internal error, VTG Turbochager Actuator Internal error and VTG turbocharger Actuator Software verification incorrect.

Actuator is controlled by can bus (pinout is when start to count from plug from straight side of actuator - 24v, canH, canL, gnd). I checked for power to actuator, it is getting good 24v tested using 24v light bulb, ground at plug is also good. Can lines show 2.7v for high and 2.3v for low, powered off have good 120 ohms between the pair.

So all points to the actuator. Decided to take it apart before ordering new one to see if there is apparent fault visible. At first only issue seems to be dry grease, I tried to turn gear on actuator and it did not move at all in one way. Played with it more and sometimes starts to move depending how I turn those gears that are loose, since other part of housing is needed there for those to not jump over. Therefore I decided to take out the board to get to the rotor bearing.

Was not good idea, since the board is mounted to housing with what seems to be thermally heat conductive glue/rtv (or maybe it is used more for reducing vibrations to prolong the life of that circuit board) AND one inductor was so well glued that I could not remove the board without causing any damage. Going to look up inductor, new glue/rtv for attaching back the actuator and also bearings. If bearings are obscure and impossible to get I will clean them and regrease them, all issues seem to be caused by dried up grease. Maybe I am wrong and the issue is instead in the electrics - there appears to be three phase motor that is controlled by mosfets, maybe some of those is faulty instead.

[Rawze]

(11-18-2025 )mikkhh Wrote:  ...- there appears to be three phase motor that is controlled by mosfets, maybe some of those is faulty instead.

looks like one of the flaky, crappy designs where the motor is not even soldered to the board.

[mikkhh]

Searching around visually X15 turbo actuator looks the same.

I looked at the board and inductor wires came off from solder, they did not break on one side.

[mikkhh]

Got call, second same year similar mileage truck has same fault codes. Looks like it has to do with the first cold and snow around here.

Will test out how actuator repair (regrease, old grease was dried up) went on first one, if calibrates succesfully will pull apart second one. Actually those look like can be regreased on truck without needing to remove coolant at all, only the board is finicky to remove from those press pins and glue/rtv.

[Rawze]

(11-20-2025 )mikkhh Wrote:  Got call, second same year similar mileage truck has same fault codes. Looks like it has to do with the first cold and snow around here.

Will test out how actuator repair (regrease, old grease was dried up) went on first one, if calibrates succesfully will pull apart second one. Actually those look like can be regreased on truck without needing to remove coolant at all, only the board is finicky to remove from those press pins and glue/rtv.

Ever since Holset (cummins) switched to that horrible, no-bearings, Teflon bushing crap, no-solder actuator design of those boards, they have been flaky as all h#ell, especially with cold/hot weather changes.

To me, it looks like some idiot college intern clueless idiot designed that garbage board and setup, and it has no place in an industrial setting.

I also mentioned this briefly back in 2020... here is that post...
https://rawze.com/forums/showthread.php?...9#pid52979

[mikkhh]

Tried to calibrate actuator myself.

Scan tool told to remove vtg from turbo and then run the calibration. Gears did not move, calibration failed. Have good power and ground on actuator plug and also there is 120ohms between can lines.

Second truck with same fault codes has yet to arrive to workshop, I will just remove top cover there since there is need for draining coolant if want to remove vtg actuator.