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The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s QuadraLift air strut & spring suspension is a great system when it works, but what do you do when you see the dreaded “SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION IMMEDIATELY” message?
Before we get into diagnostics, we need to know what type of system we are working with. The QuadraLift is a closed system, this means that your air spring adjustments are much faster than other systems using an air compressor that must draw in or exhaust air for proper spring operation. Instead of drawing fresh air in or out from or to the atmosphere, it moves stored pressurized nitrogen from the reservoir to the air springs and back again.
Front and rear height sensors measure the distance between the body and suspension and provides feedback back to the suspension control unit and compressor to constantly monitor the vehicle’s height and adjust you air struts height real time. The air suspension control module (ASCM) contains the logic that controls the struts ride height during all driving and loading conditions.
The Quadra-Lift features five height settings and each has its own benefits:
Normal (NRH)
This is standard Suspension height, best for all-around driving conditions and offers 8.1” of clearance.
Off-Road 1 (OR1)
This position provides a good balance between ground clearance and ride comfort offering 9.4” of clearance. If traveling faster than 50 mph, the vehicle will automatically lower your suspension to NRH.
Off-Road 2 (OR2)
This position offers the maximum ride height of 10.7” for the highest clearance over obstacles. Speeds that exceed 25 mph will automatically lower to OR1.
Aero
This position will lower your grand cherokee wk2 just over a half inch to maximize aerodynamics and fuel economy at highway speeds and provides a sportier suspension feel. Aero mode will also automatically engage when the vehicle exceeds 66 mph.
Now that we have a simple understanding of how the Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) QuadraLift works, we’ll go over some obvious signs you may encounter with your air suspension. These signs include sagging, vehicle not raising at the appropriate height, or height mode stuck in Aero or Park. Another common issue is hearing your air suspension compressor constantly running or running more than normal.
Suspension components start to wear with passing time as your Grand Cherokee covers more mileage. These issues might cause serious problems even long before the official suspension warning shows up. While one component may have failed, do note that suspension components are all connected and work together. So a slow leak from an air strut can seem like a weak compressor.
Therefore, as soon as you determine a problem, resolve it immediately to avoid issues with other components failing prematurely. For example, a leak in the air spring can over work the compressor which would eventually burn it out.
If you are a DIYer, there are 2 methods to diagnose the issue at hand. First is scanning the OBD for DTC fault codes to find out whether a specific component has failed or malfunctioned.
The 2nd method would be to trace all the lines from the tank to compressor to air struts/springs and check for leaks. In your Jeep grand Cherokee WK2 the tank is located under the rear seats/cargo area and the air suspension compressor is in front of the passenger wheel well. Simply concoct a simple water and soap solution to spray on all connectors, fittings, joints, crevices, and creases to check for bubbling. If bubbling is found, you may have found the source of leak which then you would need to replace or fix.
Another component to check is your 40-amp fuse under the hood, if it has blown then likely your compressor has seized or on its way out. Some other common issues are compressor related especially during freezing temperatures, or simply a premature failure.
The air compressor is typically the first thing the dealership will recommend replacing before looking further at any other discrepancies, this could cost you at least $2200. We suggest doing your due diligence before bringing your vehicle to them.
There is a myriad of issues that could be the culprit of your WK2 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s suspension problem, and it is difficult to provide every single one but once you have determined the problem, you can then decide to either keep the comfort of air suspension and replace the problematic component with Suncore’s premium air suspension part, or you could convert your air ride to a passive suspension system for a peace of mind. Here at Suncore, we offer many different replacement parts for your 2011-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee which includes air springs, air strut assemblies, air compressors, valve blocks, air to coil conversion kits, complete struts, shock absorbers and more.
Regardless of which you choose, Suncore Industries provides solutions for your Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) suspension problems with our high-quality parts at extremely affordable prices giving you back the smooth and enjoyable ride you once knew and loved without breaking the bank.