My girlfriend has a 2004 X5 3.0. with a problem

It has been a problem ,as of late for my girlfriend.
It has intermittent starting problems. Right now the battery has been changed. It started fine for a few days , now it will not start. When the key is inserted and is turned to start the car ,no sound. The starter does not make a sound. The car has electrical power.
When the battery was installed she had someone check the alternater and she had them check for any existing codes.
The alternator was fine and there were no codes.
I tried another battery with same results. I tried moving the gear shift lever up and down the positions and still nothing.


I have been reading the forum and I have seen where others have had electrical and starting problems with the X5.
Can anyone offer some clues before I have to tow the vehicle to the dealer ??
Thanks,

when u turn the key do u have power to the starter ..u can check with a test light ...have som1 turn the key and you check for power at the trigger wire the smaller wire ..

Hello :

I am going to check the starter next,

thankx

check the fuse for ecm in the glove box if it is blown unplug the oil level sensor and replace fuse. than get you an oil level sensir. the oil level sensor is shorted and blew the fuse. DO NOT plug up the sensor after you replace the fuse it will leave u strainded again. It is OK to grive your car without the sensor plugged up until you can replace it.

very common prob with the x5 and that sensor

check the fuse for ecm in the glove box if it is blown unplug the oil level sensor and replace fuse. than get you an oil level sensir. the oil level sensor is shorted and blew the fuse. DO NOT plug up the sensor after you replace the fuse it will leave u strainded again. It is OK to grive your car without the sensor plugged up until you can replace it.

very common prob with the x5 and that sensor

not really common, only on 1996-1998 MY e39,38 only. as there were several recalls for thoes. Check the igniton switch as that is VERY common.

I have never seen it on a e38, but I have seen lots already this year on E53. Probably seen 20 or so come thru the shop.

I do not have a service manual for the X5. How can i remove the ignition switch ? Is there a way I can bypass the switch to start the vehicle or diagnose the problem ?