Temp Guage Question

[kgettings]

I've got a 2009 GMC Yukon. I noticed my temp guage was running higher than normal. I took it to a mechanic and they said my electric fans were bad. I wasn't confident in the diagnosis so I took it home - hooked up my air compressor and blew out the fan motors. Then I shot some WD-40 on them in case they were just sticking when they got ready to turn on.
I ran the engine while watching the fans and they appear to kick on/off with no problem.
However - I noticed my temp guage was even higher than the last time I checked it. I shut the engine off/on multiple times and each time the temp guage would go higher until it went all the way around and wouldn't go any further.
I pulled the instrument cluster and reset the temp guage needle all the way back to the left.
When I started the engine back up it moved to 210 which is normal. But then each time I shut the engine off/on it would move a little further to the right each time until it again was all the way around.
Is this a problem with the stepper motor or with the sensor that sends data to the guage?

 

[gnarpow]

Sounds like the stepper motor since it will only move up in temp and not come down once it has cooled.

 

[ChevyFreak]

Sounds like the stepper motor since it will only move up in temp and not come down once it has cooled.

This would be my guess too. If the stepper motor was working correctly, it would reset to the "zero" point when the truck is turned off, and then slowly work its way up as the vehicle is heated. The movement "a little further to the right each time until it again was all the way around" is not normal. Good luck!!

 

[kgettings]

Thanks for the replies! I'm going to order a new stepper motor and will reply back to let you know how it goes.
Another quick question - I read somewhere that there were different versions of these stepper motors and the older version had issues while the newer version didn't - any info on what version I need to use would be great! I'm seeing the following options to order from online:
x25.168
x27.168
c5.168
c15.168
Thanks again!

 

[kgettings]

Got the new stepper motor for about $10 on ebay - followed the directions and had the job done in less than 1 hour!

Thanks for the help - this saved me a TON of money!!!

 

[gnarpow]

Awesome! glad it worked out for you

 

[edgaranah1]

Nice it only was 10 bucks.

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