The invention relates to a method for controlling an actuator which can be displaced between two end positions, said actuator being impinged in one end position and being capable of displacement to the other end position by an electromagnetic part. The actuator is first supplied with an electromagnetic current using a pulse-duration modulation in a retaining mark space ratio. Once the application of current has ended, an oversaturation of the electromagnet is taken into consideration, either by influencing the application of current in the mark space ratio in an appropriate manner, or the oversaturation is completely prevented by a suitable configuration of the application of current.