E53 X5 4.4 Won't Start After Battery Change

[redzed]

My E53 4.4 has been sat on the drive for a couple of months whilst I had it on ramps changing all e suspension bushes and bearings etc slow time.
The battery wasn't the best and had died during the time he car had not been in use.

Jobs all completed and I fitted a new battery in the boot. The dash was lit up like a Christmas tree and the car will not start using the key.

I have managed to start it by placing a positive supply direct to the starter motor and she fires up fine. However, when I drove round the block, the car is in "Trans Failsafe Mode", the gears shift up and down like they should but it only shows the PNDR light and there is no difference in Sport mode.

Battery voltage was 12.4V before starting and whilst running, was reading 14V.

During a scan, the following codes are registered;
P0709 - Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Intermittent.
P0020 - Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit / Open Bank 2

I have cleared the faults down and the dash warning lights are no longer illuminated, but the car still won't turn over and there doesn't seem to be a clunk from the starter solenoid energising.

Any help will be greatly appreciated as I'm going out of my mind.

[Horizon]

There should be a large cable running from the battery to one side Of the piggyback solenoid on the starter motor ( permanently live )
the other  wire should be a thin wire usually going to a spade connection on the starter motor.
Is it this thin wire that you are putting your live feed too ?, or the large cable on the outgoing side of the solenoid
If it's the thin wire connection you are feeding and the motor starts, all is ok with the starter motor. ( but the problem is in the ignition circuit, ie fuse switch etc ) If you feed this wire and the motor doesn't engage the starter solenoid is duff.
If you are feeding the incoming large cable with a jump lead and the car starts on the key you have a battery lead problem.
If you have to put the jump lead on the starter side of the solenoid for it to fire and you are getting a feed to the small wire when turning the key, the piggyback solenoid is Duff.
First check if 12v is getting to the small wire connection on the starter solenoid when turning the key. If it doesn't  crank.
bridge the two large terminals to see if it cranks, if it does it looks like the solenoid is duff.

[redzed]

Hi,

Thanks for that Horizon. It's neither of the two large terminals; Permanent 12V supply to the starter, or the cable connector directly vertically above it going to the starter body. Instead, I am having to connect a 12v feed to the trigger terminal (smallest outboard terminal).

[Horizon]

If it's the trigger wire that you are having to  put a supply onto it could be your ignition switch, or a fuse.
Many years ago I was installing a compressor into a BMW dealership and was talking to one of the mechanics, he told me that they'd had a newish E60 5 series in that just wouldn't start on the key. They hooked up the laptop to no avail . No error codes. They had consulted with the factory in Germany who had them reprogram the whole car. Still no joy. One of the old timers said it was maybe a bad connection, to be told by Germany that this wasn't possible. Whilst everyone was on lunch this guy separated the multi plug fron the steering column and refitted it again, the car then started on the key.
One of my old neighbours had the same problem with his transit, just separated the plug, looked ok, refitted and it fired up first time.
Worth a try, also if you have a multi meter check if your getting a feed via the ignition switch.

[redzed]

Was also thinking; could it possibly be something to do with the key? Have read endless posts trying to work this out and have read posts talking about the key battery charging whilst in the ignition barrel.
If the key hasn't been in the ignition for months, could this kill the key off ?

[Horizon]

[quote="redzed"]
Was also thinking; could it possibly be something to do with the key? Have read endless posts trying to work this out and have read posts talking about the key battery charging whilst in the ignition barrel.
If the key hasn't been in the ignition for months, could this kill the key off ?
[/quote]
The immobiliser not being recognised will only stop the car starting, not turning over, also if the battery was dead it wouldn't work the central locking either.
Ignition switches have been known to go on the E53's throwing up random faults.

[redzed]

Brand new Febi ignition switch fitted with great anticipation ...........
Still nothing 

Is there a starter relay on the 4.4 E53 ??