A system for controlling a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with electromagnetic valve actuator comprising at least of a cylinder with an engine cylinder valve, operatively connected to the engine cylinder valve second control device, wherein the second control device for adjusting at least one of valve opening and closing timing of the engine cylinder valve is designed, and a second with the consists control unit via a first connection and a second connection connected to the first control unit, wherein the first control unit is adapted to send the second control device via the first connection, a motor position indicating signal and to receive a status signal from the second control device via the second connection, and wherein the outputting first control unit in response to a synchronization error between the motor position indicating signal and the status signal is a synchronization signal deterioration.