Orange warning lights on the Peugeot 406 Coupe from March 2002 explained: what each lamp means and what you should do, based on the owner's handbook.
Orange lamps on your dashboard are there to warn you about a problem or to ask you to check something. They do not always mean you have to stop straight away, but you should not ignore them. This guide explains each one in plain English.
This post covers the Peugeot 406 Coupe and is based on handbook edition ed01-02, which applies to cars produced from 1 March 2002. Some lamps only appear on certain versions or with certain equipment, such as diesel engines, so your car may not have every light listed here.
Scroll the table sideways.
| Warning | Urgency | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel filler cap warning light | Action needed from you | Fuel cap loose or missing |
| ESP Electronic Stability Programme operation indicator light | Information / status | ESP working, switched off or faulty |
| Clogging of the particulate emission filter warning light (diesel engine) | Get it checked soon | Particulate filter at risk of clogging |
| Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light | Get it checked soon | ABS fault, normal braking remains |
| 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 fault |
| Diesel pre-heating indicator light | Information / status | Wait before starting the diesel engine |
| Water in diesel filter warning light (according to destination) | Get it checked soon | Water in the diesel filter |
| Passenger air bag disarming warning light | Information / status | Passenger air bag is switched off |
| Air bag warning light | Get it checked soon | Fault in the air bag system |
The fuel filler cap symbol is shown above. This lamp comes on if the fuel cap has not been screwed on correctly, or if the cap is missing.
What to do:
The ESP symbol is shown above. This lamp tells you what the Electronic Stability Programme is doing, and it behaves differently depending on whether it flashes or stays lit.
What to do:
If the lamp flashes:
If the lamp stays on:
The particulate filter symbol is shown above. This lamp is fitted to diesel engines and you will hear a warning sound when it appears. It can either flash or stay lit, and each means something different.
What to do:
If the lamp flashes with the engine running, the particulate emission filter is overloaded or the engine has been idling for too long, and you may see white smoke from the exhaust. The filter may clog if you keep driving the same way.
If the lamp stays on:
The ABS symbol is shown above. It is normal for this lamp to come on for 3 seconds each time you switch on the ignition.
What to do:
If it lights for 3 seconds when you switch on the ignition:
If it comes on while you are driving at more than 8 mph (12 km/h), the ABS has a fault. Your car still has conventional power-assisted brakes.
The brake pad wear symbol is shown above. When this lamp comes on, your front brake pads need replacing.
What to do:
The engine diagnostics symbol is shown above. It is normal for this lamp to come on each time you switch on the ignition. If it lights with the engine running, it means there is a fault, and what that fault is depends on whether the lamp stays on or flashes.
What to do:
If the lamp stays on with the engine running, there is a fault in the emission control system.
If the lamp flashes with the engine running, there is a fault in the injection or ignition system. On petrol engines, this can damage the catalytic converter.
The diesel pre-heating symbol is shown above. This lamp tells you whether you need to wait before starting a diesel engine. If the engine is already warm enough, it will not come on at all.
What to do:
If the lamp does not come on:
If the lamp comes on:
The water in diesel filter symbol is shown above. Not every car has this lamp, as it depends on the country it was sold in. When it comes on, it warns you about water in the diesel filter, which could damage the injection system.
What to do:
The passenger air bag symbol is shown above. When it comes on you will also hear a warning sound and see a message on the multifunction display. It can either stay lit or flash, and each means something different.
What to do:
If the lamp comes on when you switch on the ignition and stays on, the passenger air bag has been switched off.
If the lamp flashes:
The air bag symbol is shown above. It is normal for this lamp to come on for 6 seconds when you switch on the ignition. If it comes on with the engine running, you will hear a warning sound and the multifunction display will show which air bag has the fault: front, side or curtain.
What to do:
If you are not sure which lamp is showing, or what it means for your car, check the symbol against your handbook. If the lamp says to contact a PEUGEOT dealer, get the car looked at as advised. If anything about the car feels wrong, stop somewhere safe.
Orange lamps give you a chance to deal with a problem before it gets worse, so it is worth acting on them promptly. Keep this guide handy so you always know what your Peugeot 406 Coupe is telling you.
Related guides: Peugeot 406 Coupe (2002) red warning lights and all Peugeot 406 guides.
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