Get a “Service Air Suspension Immediately” warning light in your Jeep Grand Cherokee? That’s not one to ignore. This is a critical warning, but not a rare one. Jeep Grand Cherokee air suspension problems are, unfortunately, a pretty prevalent problem for owners of the vehicles.
In this article, our experts go over the most common issues with the Grand Cherokee air suspension and what causes them. We also cover several ways to fix these issues and which solution may be the best for your needs.
Common Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Problems
Some standard Jeep Grand Cherokee air suspension problems to look out for are:
1. Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Compressor Failure
The suspension compressor in the Jeep Grand Cherokee functions similarly to the air conditioning compressor in most vehicles. When other parts of the air suspension system fail, the compressor works harder to reduce the impact of the damage. As that continues, the air compressor starts to wear, and the pumping speed reduces.
Replacing a damaged compressor is essential. You should also examine the air dryer on your air suspension to see if it needs replacement.
2. Worn Struts and Shocks
When you drive your Jeep Cherokee on bad roads, the shocks and struts help reduce the vibration and bad handling. The vehicle's road handling is impaired when shocks and struts get damaged, resulting in excessive bouncing and difficulty steering. Replace the struts and shock absorbers to solve this problem.
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Leak
The air springs sit on top of the vehicle's air suspension system and provide the structural integrity your vehicle needs to maintain stability and prevent sagging. As you continue to use the car, the air springs wear out at the top and bottom, causing leaks or sudden blowouts. This may cause the air compressor pump to overwork.
If you have this issue, you may notice the car sag on one side. Changing the broken spring will help your car retain its level.
4. Leaking Quadra-Lift Suspension
The quadra-lift suspension consists of various parts that may leak with time due to wear and tear. The quadra-lift suspension enables the vehicle to ascend and descend by controlling the airline, air spring and compressor. It may cause a host of complications when it starts to leak, preventing the vehicle from performing optimally. For example, the Jeep may gradually lower when you push it to its top elevated position.
Inspect the air lines to identify leaky areas and fix them immediately. Ignoring this issue can cause severe damage to the system. You may repair the air lines or air springs or replace the compressor, depending on the cause of the damage.
5. Electronic Control Unit or Height Sensor Failure
Jeep Cherokees have an electronic control unit (ECU) or control panel, which controls the entire air suspension system. It receives signals from sensors installed in the front and rear wheels of the vehicle to adjust the height in real-time. Depending on the selected ride mode and the nature of the road, the car may rise or drop to enhance the smooth driving experience.
The height sensors wear out as they constantly move up and down, preventing them from sending the appropriate feedback to the ECU. The ECU may also get damaged, meaning the air springs won't receive the instructions to inflate or deflate your vehicle as needed. You may need to replace the sensors or ECU, depending on the cause of the problem, to restore your vehicle to peak condition.
What Causes Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Problems?
The primary cause of Jeep Grand Cherokee air suspension issues is extreme wear. The air suspension system comprises multiple components that are interconnected to perform at high intensities. This means damage in one part will likely affect the others, especially when not fixed immediately. This is a common problem in most vehicles.
Another typical cause of Jeep quadra-lift suspension problems is puncturing. Various parts of the air suspension system are made of solid rubber, which may be damaged by sharp objects or vehicle overload. When the rubber tears, the entire system may malfunction.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Reset
It's good to reset the suspension when your Jeep Grand Cherokee air suspension undergoes significant repair. The suspension warning light can come on even when the air suspension is in perfect condition, so you may need to reset the air suspension system then, too. Follow these steps:
1. Place the vehicle on a flat surface and turn off the engine. Remove the negative battery terminal first, then the positive.
2. Locate the F05 air suspension compressor, typically around or inside the engine air compartment. Disconnect it.
3. Disconnect the F87 TT/Susp fuses and F50 suspension mod.
4. Wait a few minutes, then reconnect the fuses and battery terminals.
5. Start the vehicle and wait for about five to 10 minutes.
6. Check whether the air suspension system works appropriately using the dashboard controls or a diagnostic tool.
How to Fix Your Jeep Grand Cherokee Suspension Problems
Here are two ways to fix your Jeep Grand Cherokee suspension issues:
1. Use OEM and Aftermarket Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Replacements
One approach to fixing your air suspension problems is to replace damaged components with new ones. This can be incredibly expensive. The average cost to replace just one air strut on a Jeep Grand Cherokee is just under $1,800, according to RepairPal.
Another challenge is that because the components are interconnected, damage to one part can affect the others. In some cases, you may need to replace many parts of the air suspension system or other impacted parts of the vehicle.
For example, a broken suspension puts added strain on your brakes because it absorbs less force when you stop, causing your brake system to fail. A damaged suspension may also affect your steering system, as your vehicle requires more effort to handle.
2. Use a Jeep Grand Cherokee Air Suspension Conversion Kit
Another option is to replace your faulty air suspension system with a passive coilover suspension using a Jeep Grand Cherokee suspension kit. These kits provide everything you need to install a much simpler and more dependable coil suspension in place of your air ride. And they do so at a fraction of the cost of a full air suspension repair.
Strutmasters' Jeep Grand Cherokee four-wheel suspension conversion kit replaces your failing air ride with a brand new coilover system for less than the cost of replacing a single air spring at the dealership.
Traditional coil springs offer enhanced mechanical performance than other strut kinds because they eliminate the need for installing complex interconnected systems made of flexible rubber and computers. Steel struts and perfectly tuned coil springs can last many years. They're less expensive and easier to fix.
Strutmasters Grand Cherokee Suspension Kits
Strutmasters' Jeep Grand Cherokee four-wheel suspension conversion kit is the ideal solution to your air suspension problems. It offers a complete fix at an affordable price.
More Jeep owners are looking to conversion kits as a solution. On one Reddit thread about Grand Cherokee air suspension issues, a user recommended converting, saying “Personally I would look at converting to a normal suspension. I’ve never had an air ride suspension that wasn’t a problem.”
The conversion kit includes two fully assembled front struts with premium steel coil springs, two premium American-made steel coil springs, two premium rear shocks, a suspension warning light fix module and all necessary accessories. You also get detailed instructions, including diagrams and pictures.
With this kit, you can convert your entire factory air suspension system for less than the price of replacing one air system component at the dealership.
Shop Jeep Cherokee Air Suspension Conversion Kits
Strutmasters is an industry leader with over two decades of experience manufacturing suspension systems. We specialize in air-to-non-air suspension conversion kits and offer affordable yet reliable total solutions to fixing complex air, electronic, magnetic and hydraulic suspension systems. Our Jeep Cherokee conversion kit is designed with glide-ride technology to ensure smooth rides every day.
Shop our conversion kits now or call +1 866-597-2397 for assistance. We can answer any questions you might have and help direct you to the exact kit you need for your Grand Cherokee. Our Suspension Experts can even help you located a trusted installer near you through our Strutmasters preferred shop partner network.
If you're ready to convert, we're ready to help. Shop our selection of Jeep suspension kits and get your Grand Cherokee driving better than ever!
