Starter Relay Location Mystery???

[RenaissanceMan]

My '05 3.0i X5's DME/E-box fuse panel's layout does not perfectly match any of the diagrams in the Bentley manual, on realoem.com, or in any of the pics I'm finding online. As a result, trying to locate my starter relay has been futile so far. I'm really hoping someone who has checked their starter relay on their '05 might chime in and help me out. I've attached pictures to try and show where the confusion is coming from. The Bentley manual shows 5 relays total in the fuse box. (I've marked them in red in the attached Bentley diagram):

-fuel injector relay
-DME main relay
-Secondary air injection pump relay
-Wiper relay
-Starter relay

For whatever reason, there are only 4 relays in my DME box. (see attached picture with labeled relays on my X5) I've accounted for all of them _except_ the starter relay. In the Bentley and realoem.com diagrams, the starter relay is supposedly mounted in the DME box on the right side, when facing the box from the front of the car. I don't have anything there on mine.

Where in the world is my starter relay??????? Am I missing something completely obvious? Thanks-

[David.X5]

Your picture looks more like what Bentley calls the N62. Maybe it should be pre and post face-lift? Sorry the picture is lousy. It's that way in the book.

[RenaissanceMan]

Originally Posted by David.X5

Your picture looks more like what Bentley calls the N62. Maybe it should be pre and post face-lift? Sorry the picture is lousy. It's that way in the book.

Yes, I noticed that also in my Bentley. However location and numbers of relays still do not not match up. It's like I have a combination of both panels.


If you look up the starter relay type and color in realoem, it's identical to the fuel injector relay, which adds even further to the confusion.

[David.X5]

Another surprise. I think it would help if other owners could post pictures of the inside of their E-Box and report if they have that relay. I will snap a photo of my 01 tomorrow, but think you really want to see other post-face lift cars.