asr/esp system defective

[martinst]

Hi all,

I'm hoping some knowledgeable soul can help me to identify the cause(s) of an annoying fault message which is intermittently coming up on the dashboard display of my 2002 406 V6 saloon.
The message is: "asr/esp system defective"
This often (but not always) appears after a similar message:
"brake system defective."

The latter message has been appearing on and off for the past 6 years; the former started appearing during the last 12 months. Whilst I am not a motor engineer (much less an electrician) I strongly suspect that BOTH 'faults' are the result of either defective ABS sensors and/or faulty electrical connections.

My Peugeot main dealer has (unsuccessfully) tried to correct the "brake system defective" fault on several ocassions; but it persists. The same dealer is going to investigate the "asr/esp system defective" fault next Monday, but I do not have much confidence that their computer will find anything.

I should add that the car brakes normally under all conditions and the ABS is working correctly; hence my supposition that these 'faults' are not so much 'faults' as 'faulty reporting' by one or more sensors.

The only modifications made to the car that MAY have a bearing on these faults are EBC replacement slotted discs and performance pads on the front. These were fitted five years ago and have since been renewed twice.

One odd 'quirk' which might have a bearing on all this is that if the ignition is switched off and then back on again AFTER the fault message appears, one can hear a loud 'crack' from the dash which sounds to me like a switch opening or closing contacts. Once the car has re-started the fault message(s) usually go away and stay away until the next time the car is used. It is all very annoying and perplexing, especially as in every other respect this is a delightful car to drive and has given me very little trouble during the 9 years I've owned it.

Any advice or suggestions would be most gratefully received!

[steve_earwig]

Hi Martin! ESP is a bit rare on saloons & estates so you might want to ask this over on the coupé club (http://www.peugeot406coupe.com) too as they'll have had more experience (hopefully)