A method for retracting a partially extended pin of a sliding camshaft actuator having first and second pins being selectively actuatable by adjacent first and second magnetic field generating coils includes determining if the first or the second pin is partially extended after engine ignition. A partially extended first pin is retracted with flux linkage created by the second magnetic field generating coil being coupled unto the first magnetic field generating coil, and a partially extended second pin is retracted with flux linkage created by the first magnetic field generating coil being coupled unto the second magnetic field generating coil.