Owners of 2021-2023 Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade models may find themselves in a perplexing situation: their vehicle’s battery mysteriously drains after sitting idle for a day or more. Imagine heading out for a weekend adventure only to find your SUV refusing to crank up. Frustrating, right?

The Culprit: 3rd-Row Power Folding Seat Switch

Third Row Folding Seat Switch FOund In the Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade
Third Row Folding Seat Switch Found In the Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade (Courtesy GM-Techlink)

The issue seems to be rooted in a seemingly innocuous component—the 3rd-row power folding seat switch. According to a TechLink article published on October 20, 2023, this switch may keep the Body Control Module (BCM) in standby mode, causing a 200-300 milliamp draw on the battery. For the non-tech-savvy, think of the BCM like the SUV’s brain, controlling various electrical functions. When it’s in standby mode, it’s like leaving your computer on all night; it’s going to eat up power.

How to Diagnose

If you’re experiencing this issue, the first step is to check for a battery draw. If the draw is present, you’ll want to verify if the 3rd-row power folding seats can be operated from the switches located on the right side of the rear quarter panel in the cargo area. If the switch doesn’t operate, it may be unplugged, keeping the BCM in that pesky standby mode.

The folding seat switches you'll need to double check. If these connections are loose, your BCM might stay in standby mode
These are the folding seat switches you’ll need to double-check. If these connections are loose, your BCM might stay in standby mode. (Image Courtesy GM-Techlink)

The Fix

The solution could be as simple as ensuring that the 3rd-row power folding seat switch is fully connected to the harness connector. A disconnected or loose switch could be the reason your BCM is staying awake, draining your battery.

Additional Resources

For more technical details, you can ask your dealer to refer to TSB #PIT6063.

So, before you find yourself stranded with a dead battery and a car full of impatient passengers, take a moment to check that 3rd-row seat switch. It might just save your weekend.