Air Suspension Question

[PopeOnDope]

I Just upgraded from a 2019 F150 XLT to a 2021 Ram 1500 Limited EcoDiesel with the air suspension system. I noticed that I cannot get the truck to enter the OR2 height. All other heights work fine and drive fine including OR1, but the truck tells me that i need to service the air suspension immediately when trying to enter OR2. The truck will then drive like a pogo stick unless I turn the truck completely off and reset the suspension.

1) I took it to the RAM Service Center near my house and they told me OR2 was only for towing and won't reach OR2 unless i have a trailer loaded. This is obviously incorrect from what I've read in the owners manual and in this forum. The error code they read from the ECU just says that the truck was unable to reach the desired ride height and nothing about needing service. They now want me to let them run a full diagnostic to see what's happening.

2) The RAM dealership I bought it from told me that this immediate service message is coming up because I'm trying to get the truck into OR2 while sitting on pavement and will only raise to OR2 if I am physically off road or on unlevel ground. I'm not sure if this is true or not.

I need to be able to use this truck to pull an enclosed trailer 18 hours this weekend. I don't need OR2 on this trip, but my concern is that this OR2 error is a sign of a larger problem that will rear it's head while I'm trailering.
Does anyone have an opinion on what's going on here?

 

[oe542bob]

I’ve had a few of these and currently own a ‘22 with air suspension. It should go into OR2 any time you ask it. You must be at or below preset speeds to allow this height to be changed.
Trailering has nothing to do with it. In fact it can be handy when hooking up, if you lower your suspension to park mode, back up to your hooking up position, then go to OR2. It will raise all the way up and make it just a bit easier to wind up the landing gear.
OR2 will only allow to travel at low speeds, maybe 10-12 mph ( trying to remember ) and if you exceed it, the suspension will automatically go to OR1. Speeds in OR1 can be higher ( 20-25 ) and if you exceed that, you should get a notice in the dash (EVIC) telling you what will happen if you keep exceeding the preset speed. It will automatically go to “Normal” thereafter.
I’ve never had your particular issue, or even remember reading about your specific issue.

 

[grimreefer]

smdh at the service center and dealer clowns you had to deal with...

I've not seen this issue discussed here before either...

Offroad 2 can be locked out if you have too much weight/payload, but it would display a message indicating that. Spitballing here, but you could try going into the Uconnect suspension settings and select Transport or Wheel Alignment modes to see if they will reset something. Also, the old disconnect the battery for a good 10 to 15 minutes might help to reset it. I'd also check to see if any aftermarket or homemade "leveling links" are installed.

 

[oe542bob]

Good point about aftermarket links. It maybe set up to run 1” higher in normal already. That’s the way my ‘22 is with the off road package. I don’t have OR2, but my OR1 is equivalent to OR2 on the regular air suspension.

 

[1923bob]

I can put mine in OR2, last time I put it in OR2 I was in the drive thru at In-N-Out not off road.

 

[CalvinC]

First off, find a new dealer. Holy he!l! Either they are complete morons, or think you are one.

Second, sounds like you bought the truck used. The issue you are describing happens when people use aftermarket links to give air suspension trucks a front end level. Basically the links trick the sensors into thinking it’s at a lower ride height than it actually is. In these cases the truck can’t go into OR2 because it’s already maxed out at Normal or OR2.

Given you said the error happens immediately vs. after some time makes me think this theory vs. some type of leak or compressor issue.

Check to see if your front links (coming off the upper control arm) look of different design/construction than the rears. The OEM links are not adjustable so would not show threads to my knowledge. If you see some type of threaded rod in the link, particularly stainless or non-black, I think it would confirm this theory.

 

[PopeOnDope]

First off, find a new dealer. Holy he!l! Either they are complete morons, or think you are one.

Second, sounds like you bought the truck used. The issue you are describing happens when people use aftermarket links to give air suspension trucks a front end level. Basically the links trick the sensors into thinking it’s at a lower ride height than it actually is. In these cases the truck can’t go into OR2 because it’s already maxed out at Normal or OR2.

Given you said the error happens immediately vs. after some time makes me think this theory vs. some type of leak or compressor issue.

Check to see if your front links (coming off the upper control arm) look of different design/construction than the rears. The OEM links are not adjustable so would not show threads to my knowledge. If you see some type of threaded rod in the link, particularly stainless or non-black, I think it would confirm this theory.

I'm extremely grateful for everyone who responded to my post. Here are the images of the front. They show the threaded links you mentioned. I can even see the Revel Performance logo. I also attached an image of the exact kit. It's unbelievable that two different dealerships couldn't even think to ask/look at whether or not my truck had a lift kit. This makes much more sense than anything they said to me. I haven't even had it for a week, so I still have a lot to learn about it. Thank you all.

My next question is if I can recalibrate the suspension settings so that I don't accidently over inflate my suspension?

 

[CalvinC]

Glad we could zero in on the issue! A bummer a dealer couldn't come up with this.

This is the "cheap & easy" way to lift air suspensions - popular on Jeeps and Land Rovers too. It's not a problem in & of itself to leave it as it is - the issue is only as you experienced, that you can't go into OR2, because you are effectively already driving around in OR2 when the setting is in "Normal". The only other issue is that some people reported the ride is not very good / it is rough with these links. This would be because to get the additional height, the air pressure inside the airbags is higher, plus it reduces suspension travel, particularly down travel.

So if neither of those things bother you, you can leave it alone & carry on.

Alternatively you can either a) return it to stock height (using OEM links or possibly adjusting the Revel links via some trial & error), or b) lookup the Daystar kit that adds a spacer atop the air bag assembly. This approach lets the spacer do the lifting instead of the air bag, and restores some of the ride quality and travel. I have heard mixed reviews on whether this re-enables OR2, but that is probably dependent on fine tuning of the Revel links once installed.

 

[CalvinC]

PS: I'd be really interested to ask that one tech how exactly he thought the Ram might know whether it is on dirt vs. pavement?

That would be some impressive tire technology!

 

[jeepin7]

Yes the links are creating the problem of OR2 not available. The photo you posted of the front end looks like the suspension is already extended, hoping this isn’t what “normal ride height” looks like. If so, you are not experiencing the true ride quality of the air suspension.
Post an overall photo of the truck and the tire size, we can help ID the other possible issues and which ones are critical.

For reference, here is my 22 with leveling links. Like another mentioned, OR2 is not available as my truck has the off road group from the factory. Running 285/55r22 tires (34.5”). Ride is still like factory and I use aero mode with no rubbing.

Is your speedo correct? Depending on the tire size saved in your ECM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1923bob]

Yes the links are creating the problem of OR2 not available. The photo you posted of the front end looks like the suspension is already extended, hoping this isn’t what “normal ride height” looks like. If so, you are not experiencing the true ride quality of the air suspension.
Post an overall photo of the truck and the tire size, we can help ID the other possible issues and which ones are critical.

For reference, here is my 22 with leveling links. Like another mentioned, OR2 is not available as my truck has the off road group from the factory. Running 285/55r22 tires (34.5”). Ride is still like factory and I use aero mode with no rubbing.

Is your speedo correct? Depending on the tire size saved in your ECM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks good.