Some owners of the 2021 through 2023 model-year Chevy Suburban and Chevy Tahoe SUVs may find that after being parked for a day or more their vehicle has a low battery or even a dead battery (no engine crank). Now, GM has identified a cause and described an available fix properly qualified technicians can apply.
If your Chevy Tahoe or Suburban has this issue, GM TechLink has published a diagnosis and solution, with a 200- to 300-milliamp draw being the culprit that drains the battery over time. A technician will first verify this draw by measuring with the appropriate equipment.
If the draw is present, it is likely caused by the third-row power-folding seat switch being unplugged. If the switch is unplugged, this will keep the SUV’s body control module or BCM in standby mode rather than shutting off as normal. Remaining in standby without the engine running causes the observed 200- to 300-milliamp drain and will eventually partially or wholly drain the battery.
The GM technician will then further investigate the situation with your Chevy Tahoe or Suburban by testing whether the power-folding seat switches in the cargo area, located on the rear quarter panel’s right-hand side, are functional. If the switches fail to operate the third-row power seats, then a connector may be unplugged from at least one of the switches.
The technician will then check to see if the switches are disconnected from the harness connector or if the connection is loose. Once the switches are firmly reconnected to the harness, the power drain should cease as the body control module will no longer remain in standby while the Chevy Tahoe or Suburban is parked and shut off.
A similar issue may also occur with the 2021 through 2023 model year Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon, with a similar fix available according to GM.
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Comments
This makes no sense. Why are all of these third row power seats unplugged? We’re they built that way or do they separate on their own? Wouldn’t owners be reporting that the power seats don’t work? There must be more to the story.
Only nowadays could something being unplugged cause a dead battery….
I’ve been really disappointed in all the issues in my ’22 Tahoe. I have experienced this, was told it was a bad battery. I also had many issues from the factory. My infotainment system crashes repeatedly, can’t use wireless CarPlay at all, has to be plugged in or crashes. Also the initial issues with the headlights that was fixed not too long ago, issues with the air suspension, and of course a blown out engine. Why is the quality at GM so low now?
What happened to the engine? What engine do you have?
Bad oil filter from GM. 6.2
Wireless CarPlay didn’t work for me for quite some time. I was very unhappy about that especially after I rented a Ford and it worked perfectly.
So, I did a factory reset on my Suburban infotainment system. I lost my radio presets but wireless CarPlay suddenly worked perfectly. Reprogramming my radio stations was trivial.
Quality control have become disposable. Nothing will last long nowadays. I rather keep my C10 then pay for all the BS the comes on the new cars. Nothing but problems. my 08 suburban kills the battery is not run every day. I plugged it in to a tender every day
All this trouble because a UA Worker didn’t properly plug in the harness.
I have a 08 LT Suburban. For ever I been having this problem. I finally give up. I plugged it in to a battery tender every night. And I also have a solar battery charger. In case I leave it at a hotel or a parking lot. Also disconnected the battery when not in use . But keep it in the tender charging