1.8 (Lynx) Engine malfuction message and dashboard craziness

Hi all,

Last week our 57plated s max 1.8 suddenly displayed the engine malfunction message, along side a warning buzzer and all of the dash lights coming on.  The car did not cut out and there was no loss of power.

After that, the whole dashboard, including the stereo and air con died, again the engine was running fine, although the blowers kept coming on and off.  I disconnected the battery, left it for a while and then reconnected it.  Started her up, but the dash flashed on again, the various warning lights went a bit mental, and the engine malfunction message reappeared.  Again, engine was running fine.  I drove a out of the car park, and the dashboard reset and all was good, and then went again two or three times over the next minute or two, then all was fine.  This has been happening since, driving fine and then the warning and the crazy dashboard, and then back to normal.  At no point does the engine cut out or lose power, and both the power steering and brakes continue uninterrupted.

what has been done so far,

• A garage looked at it, no error codes and couldn't find anything obvious
• Battery has been checked, all good
• The earth leads in the engine bay have been checked and are all fine
• All fuses/boxes checked and appear fine
• After market stereo removed just in case

Still doing it!

As a footnote, we are on our 3rd battery in 4/5 years as well.

Any ideas?  I am stumped!