What each orange warning light on the Peugeot 406 Break (from April 2003) means, from ABS and air bag to diesel pre-heating, and what you should do next.
Orange warning lamps on your dashboard are there to tell you that something needs your attention, a system is working or switched off, or a fault should be looked at. This guide covers the orange lamps on the Peugeot 406 Break, based on handbook edition 02-03, which applies to cars produced from 1 April 2003.
Not every car has every lamp. Some depend on the version, engine or market, for example the diesel-only lamps. If a lamp on your panel looks different, go by what your own car shows and its handbook.
Scroll the table sideways.
| Warning | Urgency | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Filler Cap Warning Light | Action needed from you | Fuel cap loose or missing |
| Electronic Stability Programme (ASR/ESP) Indicator Light | Information / status | Flashing is normal; steady means off or fault |
| Clogging of the Particulate Emission Filter Warning Light (Diesel Engine) | Action needed from you | Drive at speed to clear the filter |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Warning Light | Get it checked soon | ABS fault, normal braking still works |
| Front Brake Pad Wear Warning Light | Get it checked soon | Front brake pads need replacing |
| Engine Diagnostics Warning Light | Get it checked soon | Emission, injection or ignition system fault |
| Diesel Pre-heating Indicator Light | Action needed from you | Wait for it to go out before starting |
| Water in Diesel Filter Warning Light (According to Destination) | Get it checked soon | Water in diesel filter, risk to injection |
| Passenger Air Bag Disarming Warning Light | Information / status | Passenger air bag is switched off |
| Air Bag Warning Light | Get it checked soon | Front or side air bag fault |
This lamp shows a fuel filler cap symbol. It comes on if the fuel cap is not screwed on correctly or is missing.
What to do:
This lamp shows the ASR/ESP symbol. It comes on for a few seconds each time you switch on the ignition. After that it can flash, stay lit because you have switched the system off, or warn you of a fault.
What to do:
If it flashes while you are driving:
If it stays lit after you have switched the system off:
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, without you switching the system off:
This lamp shows the particulate filter symbol and is found on diesel engines. When it comes on you will also hear an audible signal. If the filter keeps working under the same conditions, there is a risk that it will clog.
What to do:
If the lamp flashes while the engine is running, either the filter is overloaded or the engine has been idling for too long. You may see white smoke from the exhaust.
If the lamp comes on without flashing:
This lamp shows the letters ABS. It comes on for 3 seconds each time you switch on the ignition. If it comes on when you are driving above 8 mph (12 km/h), the ABS has a fault, but the car still has normal servo-assisted braking.
What to do:
This lamp shows the brake pad wear symbol. When it comes on, the front brake pads need replacing.
What to do:
This lamp shows the engine symbol. Whether your car has it depends on the engine. It comes on each time you switch on the ignition, and if it stays lit or flashes with the engine running, it is reporting a fault.
What to do:
If it stays lit with the engine running, there is a fault in the emission control system:
If it flashes with the engine running, there is a fault in the injection or ignition system. On petrol engines, there is a risk of damage to the catalytic converter:
This lamp shows the pre-heating coil symbol and is found on diesel engines. It tells you when to wait before starting. If the engine is already warm enough, the lamp does not come on at all.
What to do:
If the lamp comes on:
If the lamp does not come on:
This lamp shows the diesel filter symbol. Whether your car has it depends on the market. It warns you of water in the diesel filter, which puts the injection system at risk of damage.
What to do:
This lamp shows the passenger air bag symbol. When it comes on you will also hear an audible signal and see a message on the multifunction display. It stays lit while the passenger air bag is disarmed, and if it flashes, there is a problem.
What to do:
If it comes on with the ignition and stays on:
If it flashes:
This lamp shows the air bag symbol. It comes on for 6 seconds when you switch on the ignition. If it comes on with the engine running, you will also hear an audible signal and see a message on the multifunction display telling you which front or side air bag has a fault.
What to do:
If you are not sure what a lamp is telling you, stay calm, stop somewhere safe when you can and check this guide or your handbook. If you are still in doubt, contact a PEUGEOT dealer.
Most orange lamps on the 406 Break are a nudge to act or to have something looked at, rather than a reason to panic. Get to know them now, and you will know exactly what to do if one comes on.
Related guides: Peugeot 406 Break (2003) red warning lights and all Peugeot 406 guides.
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