New battery, starter will not turn on 2004 bmw 325i wagon. is there a starter relay that engages starter solenoid?

While I lack specific land cruiser knowledge, the starter relay is usually part of the solenoid that sits on top (usually) of the starter motor on modern cars. The job of this solenoid is to slide the starter bendix gear into engagement with the flywheel and apply power to the starter motor, turning the flywheel and starting the engine. The current requirements of the solenoid are modest, compared with the starter, and I doubt a relay is required to engage the solenoid. This solenoid is actually the starter relay, as well as bendix engager.

If you can trace the large power lead from the starter motor back to the battery and you find no relay inline, then you do not have one.

Hi Mark
Sounds like you are doing all the right things.
We used to Load Test a Starter Motor by putting it in a Large Vice and connecting a known good battery with solid fat jumper leads.
When the solenoid throws the cog forward to engage we would use a 2 by 4 block of wood levered against the cog to try and stop the starter from spinning. The wood burns up under load but it quickly proves the Starter is functioning under load. Without using the engine.
Also you could try removing the spark plugs on the engine to allow the compression to escape. Make sure NO sparks around to ignite any fuel vapor.
The engine should spin over easily like this and you can hear & see if anything is binding up.
Hope this Helps!
Good luck!

check for battery connection or starter relay for a short to ground or volt..

The first thing to do would be to check all fuses. Sometimes a very random blown fuse can cause this. Also unhook the battery for one hour to reset all systems, and try a jump start if you have not just to be sure it isn't a battery issue. Also try locking/unlocking the key driver's door a few times using the key in the door. If the fuses are good and the battery reset does not help, nor a jump or key in the door, then there are a few other things that can cause this such as bad key - try another one, bad brake light switch, the switch is above the brake pedal, shifter not fully in park (auto transmission only) - try moving it around a bit, bad transmission position switch, bad clutch switch, dead starter/solenoid/relay or bad ignition switch/cylinder/start button.

I would try replacing the battery first. Even a fully charged battery can have bad cells which will cause the battery to not have enough "power" to turn over the starter/engine.

I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_69f3cc28d95bf514

The transmission range sensor , park neutral safety switch . Is fuse #23 60 amp in the engine bay fuse block good ?

Hello LostLynne.
The most common issue is a bad contact in the starter solenoid.
This solenoid is part of the starter assembly and makes the high amperage battery to starter connection
When you hear the click the solenoid is activating but not completing the battery to starter contact.
If this is an original starter or been on for a long time I would suggest changing the starter assembly.
Also in your under hood fuse/relay panel there is a smaller relay that activates the starter solenoid that should be checked before replacing the starter. Although less common for that to happen it does occasionally cause a problem. Easy to replace too.
If you have further questions please ask me.

KL

I had the same problem, after having the car towed to four Seasons, it was discovered that the electrical portion of the ignition switch was defective. Works like a charm. Part number 61 32 8 356 026 Hope this will help.

the "click" sounds like the solenoid on the starter motor is engaging but that the starter is not turning. So either the starter motor has failed or the charge in the battery is too low. Try a "jump" start....if makes no difference, check starter connections....if they all okay.....new starter time

IF THE BATTERY WENT DEAD RECENTLY YOU COULD HAVE LOST THE ROLLING CODE BETWEEN THE DME AND THE EWS MODULES. HAVE A DEALER CHECK TO SEE IF THEY ARE STILL ALIGNED. ALSO TRY A DIFFERENT KEY JUST IN CASE ONE IS BAD.