Jeep and air and suspensions

Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Problems

Air suspension problems are among the most common issues in an aging vehicle – even if it’s a Grand Cherokee.

The most obvious sign of this issue is the infamous “ Immediate Air Suspension Service/Repair Required ” message popping on the instrument panel.

Sometimes you don’t get any message (or the message goes away after some time).

But you can still feel something wrong with the air suspension system. For example, the vehicle looks low from the front, you find its handling more difficult than usual, there’s uneven wear on the tires, etc.

Here we’ll discuss common signs of a failing Grand Cherokee Air Suspension system and how to fix them.

What is Air Suspension?

But before moving forward, we’ll need to learn a little about air suspension.

The air suspension system’s job is similar to that of a regular one. Both suspension types connect a vehicle’s body to its wheels/brakes and absorb road bumps/vibrations for a stable, comfy driving experience.

But instead of steel-made coil springs, air suspension uses air-filled rubber bags known as air springs. Other components include an air compressor (to supply air), height/air pressure sensors, an air reservoir (to store air), etc.

Each air spring has its air pressure monitored by the control module. If the pressure is low, the air is supplied to that air spring to increase its height.

On the other hand, if the pressure is high, extra air is released from that air spring.

As you may’ve realized, it’s an upgrade from typical spring-based suspension systems with many advantages, such as a comfortable ride (even on rough surfaces), better handling, and better durability.

Another crucial feature is load leveling.

In case you don’t know, it allows a vehicle to automatically maintain an ideal height for driving regardless of how much load you put on its rear. This feature is present in some regular suspension systems as well. But is not as polished as in air suspension systems.

The Grand Cherokee’s quadra-lift system allows you to adjust the vehicle height according to different driving conditions without even stopping the vehicle.

With that said, these suspension systems have some drawbacks in the form of high maintenance costs (as they’re more complex), more vulnerability (if not maintained properly), and power consumption.

Common Symptoms of Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Problems

Apart from the usual ‘Immediate Air Suspension Service/Repair Required’ message, there are some other signs that you should keep an eye on.

Vehicle Looking Low From One End

You parked the vehicle last night in UP mode, but the next day, it’s back at ‘normal’ height (or even lower than normal sometimes) from either the front or rear end.

This uneven height makes the jeep look like it’s leaning forward/backward and is usually the first physical sign of a failing suspension system.

Nose Diving

This sign is exclusively related to the front suspension.

In this case, the front suspension wears out, which causes the vehicle to lean forward and ‘nose dive’ whenever you apply brakes.

It makes driving uneasy and hazardous since the vehicle will take longer to stop completely.

Uneven Tire Wear

This problem is closely related to the ones we’ve already discussed. Many times, uneven tire wear is a sign of worn-out suspension.

That’s because a malfunctioning suspension will have an uneven vehicle that will put more load on some wheels than others.

Noisy Compressor

If there’s an air leak, the compressor will be under extra load to maintain the optimal air pressure. It will cause the compressor to produce more noise and wear out in the long run. In particular, loud grinding, clicking, and whining indicate problems in the compressor’s motor.

While it’s normal for an air compressor to produce some noise, louder-than-usual sounds are a warning sign.

Other Signs

Other signs of air suspension problems include punctured air lines, damaged air springs, and excessive bumps while driving.

How to Fix Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Problems

1. Bounce Test

To confirm that the issue is with the suspension system of your jeep, not any other part, we’ll have to do a simple bounce test.

For this test, park the vehicle at an even surface and turn the engine off. Now go to each corner of your Grand Cherokee one by one and push it down with some force. Then, release the pressure to see how much the vehicle bounces.

If a corner bounces back and stays stable, the suspension is good, and the problem is with any other part. But if a corner bounces up and down multiple times or takes a long time to bounce up, the problem is with the suspension system.

While not a 100% accurate test, it gives you a rough idea about your suspension system’s health.

2. Reset the Air Suspension System

Sometimes the Grand Cherokee will give false warning messages about the air suspension system – probably due to cold weather.

The cold weather can cause the air springs to contract, resulting in the system erroneously believing there’s something wrong with the suspension.

In most cases, this warning message will disappear automatically once the temperature returns to normal and the air springs expand again.

But if it doesn’t go away even after that, you can try resetting the air suspension system.

• Disconnect the battery terminals – negative first, then positive.
• Locate and pull out the F05 (air suspension compressor), F50 (air suspension mod), and F87 (air TT/Susp) fuses from the fuse box. These fuses protect the air suspension compressor, air suspension module (ASM), and air suspension system from short circuits.
• Wait for a few minutes. Then reconnect all the fuses you pulled in the previous step.
• Reconnect the battery terminals – positive first, then negative.
• Wait for 5-10 minutes before starting the jeep.

3. Replace the Air Valve

Jeep Grand Cherokees come with a closed-loop air suspension. It means they have a limited amount of nitrogen gas in the reservoir.

So if you have an air leak that causes the reservoir to run out of nitrogen, you’ll have to refill the tank from a dealership.

But before that, you’ll have to find and fix the area where the air leaks.

Although air suspension systems have many points of failure, air valves are the most common.

These valves connect the air pipes to the air bags. The air pipes carry the compressed air from the compressor to the air bags.

To confirm the leakage, spray some soapy water on that area and see if bubbles start to pop up.

To replace an air valve, you’ll need to pry off the tabs that connect it to the air lines – with a simple screwdriver. After that, you can disconnect the air valves from the air springs using a 12mm wrench .

Now, replace it with a new air valve (such as this one from Amazon), and connect the new one using the same wrench.

Before connecting the air pipes, please confirm they’re clean and have no cracks. Otherwise, you’ll have to replace them too.

You can watch this video for more information.

About Vehicle Sphere

Hi everyone, my name is Ayden Morris, and I’m the face behind Vehicle Sphere (VS). I’ve worked as a mechanic for over 5 years and have started this blog to help others fix their vehicles.

What do we cover on this blog? Well, everything related to car maintenance.

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Service air suspension system immediately warning in Jeep

The Jeep brand has long been associated with rugged off-road capabilities and superior ride comfort. One of the features that contribute to the smooth and controlled driving experience is the air suspension system. However, if you’re a Jeep owner and have encountered the dreaded “Service Air Suspension System Immediately” warning, you may be left wondering what exactly went wrong and what steps you should take next.

How Jeep air suspension works

The Jeep air suspension system is a sophisticated technology designed to enhance the ride quality, comfort, and off-road capabilities of Jeep vehicles. Instead of conventional steel coil springs or leaf springs, the air suspension system utilizes air-filled bags or air springs to support the weight of the vehicle and adjust the ride height.

The air suspension system in Jeeps works by using compressed air, typically supplied by an air compressor, which is distributed to each individual air spring. These air springs are strategically placed at each corner of the vehicle and can be inflated or deflated to adjust the ride height and stiffness of the suspension system.

One of the primary advantages of the Jeep air suspension system is its ability to provide a smooth and controlled ride, regardless of the terrain. It can automatically adapt to varying road conditions, such as uneven surfaces or off-road trails, by adjusting the ride height accordingly. This feature allows Jeep owners to enjoy a comfortable and stable driving experience both on and off the pavement.

Furthermore, the air suspension system can be manually adjusted to accommodate specific needs. It often includes multiple driving modes, such as Normal, Off-road, and Park, allowing the driver to tailor the suspension characteristics to their preferences or specific driving situations.

Overall, the Jeep air suspension system is an advanced technology that adds versatility, comfort, and capability to Jeep vehicles, ensuring an enjoyable driving experience regardless of the road or trail ahead.

Warning message causes

The “Service Air Suspension System Immediately” warning message in a Jeep can be triggered by several factors.

Weak 12v battery

A weak 12V battery can be a potential cause for the “Service Air Suspension System Immediately” warning message in a Jeep. The air suspension system relies on a stable and sufficient power supply to function properly.

If the 12V battery is weak or not providing enough power, it can lead to various electrical issues within the vehicle, including the air suspension system.

To address this issue, it is recommended to check the condition and charge of the 12V battery in your Jeep. If the battery is old or weak, consider replacing it with a new one.

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Obtain an OBD Scanner

Purchase or borrow an OBD scanner that is compatible with your Jeep’s make and model. OBD scanners come in different types, such as handheld devices or smartphone apps with a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.

Locate the OBD-II Port

The OBD-II port is typically located underneath the dashboard, around the driver’s side. It may have a cover that needs to be removed to access the port.

Connect the OBD Scanner

Plug the OBD scanner’s connector into the OBD-II port. Ensure that the connection is secure.

Power on the Scanner

Turn on the OBD scanner and follow the instructions provided by the device’s manufacturer to establish a connection with your Jeep’s onboard computer system.

Retrieve Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)

Once the connection is established, navigate through the scanner’s menu to access the DTC retrieval function. The scanner will communicate with the vehicle’s computer and retrieve any stored DTCs related to the air suspension system.

Interpret the DTCs

Note down the DTCs displayed on the scanner’s screen. Each code corresponds to a specific issue or malfunction within the air suspension system. Consult the scanner’s user manual or online resources to interpret the DTCs and understand the underlying problem.

Take Appropriate Action

Based on the DTCs and their meanings, you can determine the necessary steps to address the issue. This may involve inspecting specific components, performing further tests, or seeking professional assistance.

While an OBD scanner can provide valuable insights into the diagnostic process, it’s important to remember that not all issues related to the air suspension system may be reflected in the DTCs.

Seek professional assistance

It is important to note that the exact cause of the warning message can vary depending on the specific model and year of the Jeep. If you encounter this warning, it is advisable to have the system diagnosed by a qualified technician to pinpoint the exact cause and take appropriate measures to resolve the issue.

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