It sounds like the motorised valve and programmer are behaving as you'd expect and I can't really see how they would be likely to cause the problem.
For CH only the 3-port valve is powered across into position and then held there by a small electric current. I doubt it will ever be allowed to fall back to it's resting position in your system (hence the slack feel in the lever) unless the power is switched off completely. The unit will feel slightly warm consuming something less than 5 Watts in this state.
If you are happier having it "resting" (overnight for example) just power off the system for a short time to let it resettle and you'll be able to feel the difference in spring on the lever.
For CH only the 3-port valve is powered across into position and then held there by a small electric current. I doubt it will ever be allowed to fall back to it's resting position in your system (hence the slack feel in the lever) unless the power is switched off completely. The unit will feel slightly warm consuming something less than 5 Watts in this state.
If you are happier having it "resting" (overnight for example) just power off the system for a short time to let it resettle and you'll be able to feel the difference in spring on the lever.