2000 X5 ODB port not working

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Upallnight...great catch. For some reason I was thinking that no e53 got the 20 pin DLC in the engine bay...but you're correct...it was eliminated starting with the 2001 model year (9/00 build date for the e53).

So to the OP...they have a secondary (back-up) connection. In fact, if the 20 pin DLC's lid/cover isn't screwed on correctly it may cause issues (or is that just on the e38?):

Open the hood and check the 20-pin DLC...make sure that the "PAC-man key" that goes down the center is still there. If it's not, the lid may be screwed on incorrectly thus not bridging the pins required for the interior 16-pin DLC to read correctly:

{20 pin DLC in the engine bay w/lid removed and wire inserted to reset SI display}

MY2001 with a build date of 10/2000 and I have the 20 pins connector under the hood.

You need to use the 20 pins under the hood if you want to read all the modules in the car. The OBD II connector is just for the OBD II stuff as required by the government.