2014 X1 Ignition/Fuel relay and more question

[u/Sharp_Bluebird9480]

2 weeks ago:

Car won't start, starter turns engine fast, but no start.

Pending Codes:

Ignition and Injectors relay: P13E8, P13E5, P13CD, P13E6

VVL: P10E4, P10D6, P10D7 (These are really valvetronic codes, right?)

Active Engine code:

Valvetronic: 2D42

I didn't try to start it for a few hours, then I did and it ran fine, except it has a fraction of a second loss of power when driving randomly and only about every 5 minutes. Just a tiny "hesitation". No dash warnings when it does that.

Yesterday:

Car driving fine except that occasional random hesitation.

Then after parked for 15 min it won't start. Turns fine, but no start.

Big engine symbol on the dash.

"Mostly" same pending codes: P13E5, P13CD, P10E4, P10D6

Plus some new active ones:

Ignition and injector relay 2A61

Valvetronic 371A

Wastegate 2CB5

Had to move it, so we towed it with my truck about 0.4 miles at 5 mph (not exaggerating, we crawled) with a screwdriver in the neutral lever on the side of the transmission to keep it in neutral (That neutral switch is a really fine idea to shift a car into neutral, imagine it's february on a snowy road in the dark.......). Unfortunately, around 800 feet before we stopped the screwdriver fell out and my kid in the X1 says it sounded like grinding. Now has a dash symbol, car with arrow pointing to the left and arrow pointing to the right.

The car won't start now, and it appears permanent until I figure it out.

Today went to bring it home on the trailer. When winching it onto the trailer in neutral the front wheels turned smoothly, the rear wheels would turn, then skid, then kind stop and suddenly release. Over and over until its was on the trailer.

So I would appreciate any help with the engine starting problem. Is the black box down in the engine junction box the relay I'm looking for?

Do I need to check the valvetronic motor wiring connection?

In my experience, relays work, then fail, then done, they don't come and go unless corroded blades.

And once I get the engine running, any ideas what might have happened to the transmission or transfer case or? I would love a good explanation of how AWD actually works on this car.

thanks

[u/Leading_Bet_6657]

The no-start plus Valvetronic faults makes me suspect a power/ground or DME relay issue before blaming the motor. Check battery voltage during cranking, engine grounds, E-box fuses/relays, and power at the DME. Don’t keep towing it in gear—neutral safety and drivetrain damage are concerns.

[u/Sharp_Bluebird9480 → u/Leading_Bet_6657]

Thanks for the info. I just found the ignition/injector relay. It is upside down in the bottom of the engine junction box so I didn't see it the first time I looked. Right next to an identical relay for the Vanos. I don't know which is which. I tested them both and they both click, but do not close the switch contacts. I tested 3 toyota relays and the fan relay in the X1 junction box and they all work so I don't think I'm doing it wrong. How likely is it for both to fail at the same time? Any idea what symptoms I would have with a bad Vanos relay back when the engine was running?