New gal with new peugot (2000 406hdi glx) needs help!

[saffylady]

Hi all, wow am I glad I found this site, hopefully it could be the answer to my prayers! I used to have a 405, loved it to death, owned a horrible mpv inbetween, now I have bought myself a 406, very pleased with it, a grander version of my 405 exactly what I wanted! Only problem is, the dashboard/cockpit warning lights & beeps etc I do not understand at all, previous owner (miles away as bought on ebay) pretty much unable to explain either! The engine management light is always constantly on, he said not to worry it's been on the 4 years he's had it his garage couldn't do anything either. But, every now & then I hear a beep....can't see anything! Also, when I turn on the ignition I don't understand the information that comes up (spanner symbol 38000 -then- min oooooo max ) well rather than waffle on I'll just tell you I don't understand a blinkin thing when it comes to the electrical gadgety things! Now that doesn't mean I'm some dumb chick! I used to do alot of work on all my previous cars, when they were straightforward mechanical faults, or simple electrical loops etc...I am just stumped by the moderness of a car I couldn't afford before! I have a Haynes manual but doesn't mention these. Could anyone be kind enough to help me out on this, I'm petrified a perfectly good car will die on me if I don't understand what the gadgets are trying to tell me! It runs lovely, long & short drives no problems as yet two weeks in!

[saffylady]

DUH! sorry its a 2000 V reg, my old car was the 1995! alrite i am stupid!

[GeordieBoy]

I don't understand the information that comes up (spanner symbol 38000 -then- min oooooo max )

The Spanner Symbol indicates when the next service is due, its prob 3,800 miles. Min 000000 Max means Oil Level is at Max, it drops like:-
00000-
0000--
000--- Half Oil
00----
0-----
------ means No OIL

Engine Management Light, I've no idea what that is. Its the only Light that hasn't come on, on my car.

[Welly]

Welcome saffy!

To add to Geordies reply:

The engine managemet light is triggered (and stored by) the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) - basically the computer that runs all the engine's fueling and controls. A common fault with the HDi is the Throttle Position Sensor - when you put you foot on the accelerator a cable pulls on this sensor which is basically an electrical 'track' of varying resistance to tell the ECU how much fuel to inject at that time.

The throttle 'pot' can play up and the ECU will store a fault and bring on the Engine Light to alert you to a problem but in all other respects the car drives fine (I've had this fault 2 times now). A garage with a good diagnostic machine will be able to read the fault code stored by the ECU and then decide if a part needs replacing or just 'reset' the engine light and see if it happens again. The throttle pot is around £65.00 I think).

My engine light also came on once because my radiator fan was becoming worn out and drawing a high current on it's circuit, this fault took ages to trace and resulted in a new fan being fitted (£120.00) and it's been fine since.

You would really need a decent independant garage with a good diagnostic machine to determine the fault first.

The Spanner symbol and mileage can be reset yourself - it basically just counts down (in 50's I think) from 12,000 or 10,000 miles whichever you want. There is a thread on here somewhere about how to reset it but it's dead easy.

A far as the beeping goes - when it beeps have a look at the display screen above the radio, the beep is accompanied by a message and recently with the outside temp being so low I bet it's mostly the RISK OF ICE warning which beeps and displays the message when the temp is below 3 deg C. There are other warnings such as HANDBRAKE APPLIED or BRAKE FLUID LOW (which is just a dodgy handbrake switch).

Just ask if you want to know anything on here we're a decent bunch (and have a bit of a laugh too)

[Welly]

Here's that post I was on about viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3792&hilit=service+indicator+reset

[mjb]

A garage with a good diagnostic machine will be able to read the fault code stored by the ECU and then decide if a part needs replacing or just 'reset' the engine light and see if it happens again.

Surely leaving the ECU unplugged for half hour or so would clear the faults anyhow? If the light stays on you can then go to someone with code reading capability to find out what fault codes have turned up since you reset it and are still indicating a problem, instead of some uncleared fault from 6 years ago...

[Welly]

A garage with a good diagnostic machine will be able to read the fault code stored by the ECU and then decide if a part needs replacing or just 'reset' the engine light and see if it happens again.

Surely leaving the ECU unplugged for half hour or so would clear the faults anyhow? If the light stays on you can then go to someone with code reading capability to find out what fault codes have turned up since you reset it and are still indicating a problem, instead of some uncleared fault from 6 years ago...

That's very true - you can wipe the codes like this but it won't turn off the engine check light but at least it will give you a fresh code to pin point the cause.

[teamster1975]

Welcome Saffy!
I think Welly covered everything you need

[lawsys406t]

hi saffy welcome

[saffylady]

WOW thank u guys for all your warm welcomes & advice enlightening me! I seen a garage not far from me saying they were citroen & peugeot specialists so may pop in there to get the ECU looked at, at least I will have some idea now, not to get ripped off! Have already checked the oil & coolant etc so thats all good, at least I know how they are displayed as Geordie pointed out and all up to max levels. I suspect then the little shower looking symbol must be the coolant level? The beeping is the only thing I really can't get to grips with, it says nothing on the lcd displays, really random beeps too! I might be imagining it but it seems to beep when car is cold first running, more so when raining? & I think - don't know - but when turning or going over bumps but then again this could just be coincidense. I'm sure if it was important then it would be accompanied by a warning light or something on the lcd displays! I'll just turn my music up!
Thanx agen guys, much appreciated! Saffy xxxxx

[Captain Jack]

it says nothing on the lcd displays, really random beeps too!

Sounds like most American cars here.. they just beep if anything is out of the ordinary.. an open door, no seat belt, driver too heavy.....
Maybe the beeping is some "Code checker" for your radio ?

[mjb]

Sounds like most American cars here.. they just beep if anything is out of the ordinary.. driver too heavy.....

Something doesn't make sense with your post, but I can't quite put my finger on it...

[saffylady]

[/quote]
driver too heavy.....
[/quote]
cheeky! not the case I can assure u!

[DaiRees]

I seen a garage not far from me saying they were citroen & peugeot specialists

Where's that then?

Be careful, DarrenWall on here has recently had some fun and games with a pug/citroen specialist in Cardiff....

[saffylady]

I seen a garage not far from me saying they were citroen & peugeot specialists

Where's that then?

Be careful, DarrenWall on here has recently had some fun and games with a pug/citroen specialist in Cardiff....

Really?! OMG! I spotted it down Roath end of Newport Road (Cardiff) can't remember which road but roughly elm st/ partridge rd area. I did have a lovely trustworthy peugeot loving mechanic for years but he got sick & had to pack it in, the one I used after him is ok but not sure I trust my new puggy with him! I will trawl the forum now......