Service Air Suspension System Immediately: What To Do?
The air suspension system is responsible for a smooth and comfortable ride. So, If a vehicle starts to sag and the drive feels bumpy then the suspension warning light will be on.
But what to do when a warning message says service air suspension system immediately?
Park your car first if the message pops up. Check the air lines and the airbag for leakage. As one of the major causes is air leaks and the loss of air pressure. Check the tube fitting as well. If the components seem fine then reset the air suspension system.
Need more details on how to solve this issue? Then read our piece until the end. We’ve answered all your questions.
Let’s begin!
What Service Air Suspension System Immediately Message Mean?
When a car’s air suspension system faces any trouble it warns the driver through warning messages or lights. Such as the 2014 jeep grand cherokee service air suspension system immediately.
So, what does this “Service air suspension system immediately” or immediate air suspension service required jeep grand cherokee mean?
The first guess is that the air compressor has a leak. And the air supplied through it is not enough. Apart from the air compressor, internal components like the air bag, lines, and links can be the reason.
The height sensor in your car can detect the anomaly in the air service suspension.
Thus lets you know about the issue through the warning message.
Service air suspension system immediately dodge ram or jeep wagoneer service air suspension immediately refers to the same issue.
What Happens If You Drive Your Car With Suspension Warning?
If you ignore the message and keep running your car you’ll notice that the car is bouncing around. The ride will be rough and it might be noisy.
As a driver, it’ll be hard to handle the cornerings and the bumps. So, it’s better to resolve the problem immediately.
What To Do If Service Air Suspension System Immediately Message Appears?
If the message appears when you’re driving the car, first you should park it somewhere safe. Now, do a visual inspection of your car’s air suspension system.
Look for leaks in the air bag or any cracks in the air lines. Check out the compressor and the electric connections as well. If there’s any leak or crack visible in the components, take the car to a nearby repair shop.
If you don’t see any major disruption in the components then you can try resetting the air suspension system of your car.
Here’s how to reset air suspension system in your car –
Step-1: Disconnect Battery Cables
To reset the air suspension system, first, you’ve to disconnect the positive and negative cables from the battery.
Keep the cables disconnected for about 5-10 minutes.
Step-2: Disconnect Fuses
A few fuses need to be disconnected after the battery cables. Those are-
- The air suspension compressor fuse
- Air suspension Mod fuse
- Air TT/Susp fuse
You’ll find the fuses in the fuse panel. The panel is located on the passenger side beside the instrument panel. Pull up the panel cover to access the switches.
Step-3: Reconnect
Reconnect all the fuses that you have disconnected. Also, connect the positive and negative cables in the battery. Wait for 8-10 minutes after connecting them all.
Shutting off the vehicle and turning it back on is necessary to service air suspension immediately ram 1500.
Step-4: Test
Start your car and see if the lift system is at the proper height or not. If the problem still remains the error message will appear again. If it doesn’t appear, then the resetting has been successful.
Jeep grand cherokee air suspension reset can be done in the same way too. Even if the error message disappears, you should take your car to a service center for a quick checkup.
An expert can tell you if there has been any internal damage in the air suspension. Leaving any damage unattended can lead to bigger problems like compressor failure or suspension system failure.
Repairing cost for the suspension system will range between $500-$2,000+. But if you require a complete retrofit for the front and rear, then it’ll cost between $1,000- $3,000 including installation.
Labor cost is around $175-$225. If you need replacement, the Dorman air suspension compressor and Hitachi suspension compressor are quite popular choices.
The Jeep grand cherokee air suspension repair cost is a little higher. It costs between $2,711-$3,225.
Why Does Air Suspension fail In Cold Weather?
Air suspension failing due to cold winter isn’t rare. Moisture is the main issue here. It sits on the compressor and damages the solenoids and internal valves to get jammed.
Moisture inside the air compressor freezes the air inside and causes blockage. As a result, the suspension system fails to function properly. When the temperature is freezing, the air suspension system contracts and reduces the pressure.
Due to pressure dropping the system rides lower than it should. As a result, the height of the vehicle drops lower. So, the ride will be bumpy and in the worst case, a suspension failure. You may also find trouble with the park assist system.
Another reason is the weakened electrical system due to moisture and dampness in cold weather. As the system becomes less effective and weaker, the compressor tends to work extra hard to fill the gap.
While trying to maintain the pressure the system experiences premature failure. To prevent such issues in cold weather, a few maintenance and inspections are necessary. Such as-
- Check out the inner valves and solenoids and check for blockage.
- Replace dented or broken parts.
- Keep the car away from the harsh weather. Keep your vehicle in garages rather than parking outside in the cold.
- Use proper-grade suspension oil and change it regularly.
- Also, weatherproof your car.
How To Tell The Air Suspension System Is Faulty?
When your vehicle’s air suspension system keeps failing a lot of symptoms will appear. For example-
Symptoms:
- The vehicle will be drooping at an overly low ride height.
- The vehicle is stuck at the highest possible height.
- Wheels will be of unequal heights
- Failure of riding height adjustability.
- Excess air compressor priming.
- Bouncy rides, etc.
These issues occur due to some fault cases in a vehicle’s air suspension system. Some causes are to be looked out for to prevent air suspension problems. They are
the following-
Reasons:
- Balloon Leak
- Balloon Explosion
- Defective height sensors
- Bad fuse
- Defective air compressor
- Valve block failure
- Poor plumbing
- Bad O-ring
- Faulty suspension relay and dampers
- Bad control unit
- Wrong calibration on the wheels, etc.
Tips To Maintain The Air Suspension System
The air suspension system of a vehicle doesn’t require regular maintenance. It is self-sufficient and can run on its own without any help needed.
But a few things should be checked from time to time. Let’s talk about them.
Drain Condensation Buildups:
The air tank in the suspension system has a condensation buildup within. Although it travels from the manifolds into the bags and lines, quite an amount resides in the tank.
The water tap inside the tank prevents any movement of water or moisture. But when the condensation is left long in the tank, moisture starts to build up.
That’s why every two weeks, you should drain the condensation. Doing so will prevent the buildup of moisture in the tank.
Apply Antifreeze:
If you live in freezing temperatures, it’s necessary to make sure moisture isn’t getting into the suspension system. To prevent the moisture, you can use an air-brake antifreeze.
Pour a mouthful of the antifreeze into your air tank. It’ll prevent moisture and condensation from freezing and damaging any parts.
Read the user manual for more information about the usage. But don’t mix them with any type of jeep transfer case fluid.
Check The Connection Of The Components:
Checking up on the component’s connection is necessary every once in a while. Put your car on a jack stand and verify a few things. Start with the air hoses first.
Give the hoses a good tug to ensure they are connected tightly. Next up is the height sensors. Check every one of them and make sure the plug is connected properly.
Also, ensure that no other component is rubbing on the sensor plugs. Check the lock collars on the air shocks and you’re done with the maintenance.
Can You Drive With A Faulty Air Suspension?
Driving a car with faulty air suspension is possible. But it’s not risk-safe. That’s why, it’s generally recommended not to drive under such conditions.
Driving a car with faulty air suspension carries the following risks-
- Due to the bouncing and shaking that occurs while regular drives, you may lose control of your car. This can put your life at risk.
- Gas mileage may suffer drastically if the engine needs to work harder than normal to maintain the vehicle’s movements. It damages the vehicle’s condition further.
The best practice would be to move the car to the nearest repair shop. Drive the car only after the issue is properly dealt with.
If possible, replace your jeep’s regular suspension system with an adaptive variable suspension. It’ll be a great upgrade for your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How long does a car’s air suspension system last?
They normally last about 80,000-100,000 miles. However, the air suspension components have different lifetimes. The air compressor and valve manifold last about 3-5 years. Air tank lasts a lifetime if maintained properly. Air lines and air management components’ lifetime varies.
What’s the difference between coilovers and suspension?
Coilovers are typically designated for performance-oriented driving circumstances. They provide a large amount of flexibility which allows you to modify your suspension exactly as you want. Coilovers are more durable than regular air suspension systems. They can withstand more wear and tear.
What parts can be added to upgrade the air suspension system?
You can add water traps/filters, pressure sensors, and height sensors if you don’t have them already. Anti-roll bars, strut tower braces, and coil-overs can be a good addition. Replace worn-out components as well.
Conclusion
Now you know what to do when the service air suspension system immediately warning pops up. Hopefully, we were able to guide you through the problem properly.
Safe driving!
