I did some reading on the intermediate lever problems....the difference for us there is no fault codes and the vehicle never actually starts.

Yes, on our X5 turning the key is the equivalent to pushing a button. It continues to crank until it times out....while it's cranking there is alot of vibrations...when the cranking stops, the engines dies a few seconds later.

__________________
2001 X5 3.0 sport.
1999 328i sport