Display shows 5 but it's in park
 

Tachometer shows 5 but it's in park. X5 won't start. Any advice?

Check engine light is on when the key is on but scanner shows nothing.

Started the other day when driving through really bad weather, lotta rain/water on the road. It corrected itself by the time i got back to town but now it's showing 5 when I turn the car on, even though it is in park. I can move the gear shifter to anything and it still shows 5.

The cars been sitting for 24 hours now so it's had plenty of time to dry off (inside).

I forgot to mention that when I got home after the long rainy drive, I turned the suv off and then started it twice. Both times it started fast.

Alright so I've figured it's not a mechanical issue, it's probably a electrical one.

I figure this because when the car is in neutral, I can't pull the key out.

It's been ~40 hours since the rain storm I drove through so it might end up drying out too..

What year is the X? My 2004 had a similar problem where the car was in park but wouldn't start, turned out to be some plastic piece on the trans linkage.

theres a small clip on the shifter linkage that can break or pop out. i had a similar problem. take out the ashtray / shifter cover piece there and look under there, you will see the linkage and a U Shaped clip should be there. pull the linkage back into place, (towards the rear of the X) then slide the clip in place. its a tight fit, but this could be the problem area.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...98&hg=25&fg=20

part#9 it shows one near the shifter, but there is one near part 6 as well.

01 x5 3.0


Gonna try this out...

Is this under the car?

When I change the gear shifter, I head a clicking noise coming from under the car..

Yes, it is under the car. I took my to a BMW dealer, but to get the car there we had to disengage the linkage to get it on a rollback.

the key can only be removed when selector is in park . this is a safety system. hopefully your electrical glitch was just caused by water as in my experience of bmw ownership is common problem. there are electrical connectors to transmission under car, worthwhile spraying with moisture dispersal fluid, then after warm dry weather apply some product to keep water out.usually works. bmw electronics do not like wet weather, avoid puddles .:yikes:

Alright so starter is trying to kick in but its not turning over...disconnected battery to reset everything but still no go.