What each orange warning light on your Peugeot 406 means, from ABS and ESP to air bags and the particulate filter, and what the handbook says to do.
Orange warning lamps on your dashboard tell you about a fault or a situation that needs your attention. Most of them are not a reason to stop at once, but you should not ignore them.
This guide covers the first-generation Peugeot 406, based on handbook edition ed02-03, which applies to cars produced from 1 April 2003. Some of these lamps depend on your car's version, engine or equipment, so you may not see all of them on your instrument panel.
Scroll the table sideways.
| Warning | Urgency | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel filler cap warning light | Action needed from you | Fuel cap missing or not screwed on |
| Electronic Stability Programme (ASR/ESP) indicator light | Information / status | Stability system active, off or faulty |
| Clogging of the particulate emission filter warning light (diesel engine) | Action needed from you | Particulate filter at risk of clogging |
| Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light | Get it checked soon | ABS fault, normal braking retained |
| Front brake pad wear warning light | Get it checked soon | Front brake pads worn |
| Engine diagnostics warning light | Get it checked soon | Emission, injection or ignition fault |
| Diesel pre-heating indicator light | Action needed from you | Wait for it to go out |
| Water in diesel filter warning light | Get it checked soon | Water in diesel filter |
| Passenger air bag disarming warning light | Information / status | Passenger air bag switched off |
| Air bag warning light | Get it checked soon | Front or side air bag fault |
This lamp shows the fuel filler cap. It comes on when the fuel cap is missing or has not been screwed on correctly.
What to do:
This lamp shows the ASR/ESP stability system symbol. It comes on for a few seconds each time you switch on the ignition. With the engine running and the car moving, it flashes when the system is activated, and it stays lit continuously when the system has been disarmed.
What to do:
If the light stays on, or comes on while the engine is running and the car is moving:
This lamp shows the particulate emission filter symbol and is fitted to diesel engines. It is accompanied by an audible signal. If it flashes while the engine is running, the filter is either overloaded or the engine has been running at idle for too long (you may see white smoke from the exhaust), and the filter risks clogging if you keep driving in the same way.
What to do:
If the light flashes with the engine running:
If the light comes on:
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 at over 8 mph (12 km/h), there is a fault with the ABS, although your car still has conventional servo-assisted braking.
What to do:
This lamp shows the brake pad wear symbol. When it comes on, it tells you the front brake pads need replacing.
What to do:
This lamp shows the engine diagnostics symbol and is fitted according to engine. It comes on each time you switch on the ignition. With the engine running, it can stay on steadily or flash, and each means something different.
What to do:
If the light stays on steadily with the engine running, there is a fault in the emission control system:
If the light flashes with the engine running, there is a malfunction in the injection or ignition system, and on petrol engines there is a risk of damage to the catalytic converter:
This lamp shows the diesel pre-heating symbol. It may come on when you switch on the ignition. If the engine is already warm enough, the light will not come on and you can start the engine straight away.
What to do:
This lamp shows the diesel filter symbol and is fitted according to destination. When it comes on, there is water in the diesel filter and a risk of damage to the injection system.
What to do:
This lamp shows the passenger air bag symbol. If the passenger air bag has been disarmed, it comes on when you switch on the ignition and stays on. It is accompanied by an audible signal and a message on the multifunction display.
What to do:
If the light flashes:
This lamp shows the air bag symbol. It comes on for 6 seconds when you switch on the ignition. If it lights up with the engine running, you will also hear an audible signal and see a message on the multifunction display telling you the cause of the front or side air bag fault.
What to do:
If you are not sure what a light is telling you, check the warning lamps section of your Peugeot 406 handbook, and if a light points to a fault, contact a PEUGEOT dealer.
Orange lights are your Peugeot 406's way of asking for attention before a small issue becomes a bigger one. Knowing what each one means helps you react calmly and do the right thing.
Related guides: Peugeot 406 I (2003) red warning lights and all Peugeot 406 guides.
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