Turn ignition to the start position but not turning over. All gauges and lights work on the dash. Thought it was the starter but was able to bypass the relay to get it started. Drove the vehicle for a few minutes but once turned off the same problem continued. Any thoughts on what could cause the vehicle to not starting without bypassing the relay switch?

 

Welcome to the forum.
That's weird. Is gear shift fully in Park?

 

sounds like relay is dead ? try another relay ? thats my first step

 

Solenoid bad possibly? I had this and it was my BCU. If you tapped it afterwards it would start.

 

What relay are you bypassing? One in the fusebox? You can easily swap the relay with a different one to test it. If that makes no difference Jumper it, if it starts - problem is upstream. Doesn't? Problem is downstream. Brushes wear out in the starter about 180k miles, they can be rebuilt but I have not found anyone selling just brushes yet so I just replace the whole thing for $70 from Amazon.

 

Car is in park.
We did try switching out the relay in the fuse box but same problem continues.
Would it still start by bypassing the relay with a bad starter?
The sunroof in front and back will start to open with any buttons being pushed. (after we start it)
With all the lights and alarm working just fine, could it be that key fob needs to be reset?
Collie Rover would this be the problem if it was a faulty BCU?

 

Using a test light. Check for power at fuseable link #8 in engine compartment fuse box and make sure FL is good condition, if good, check for power at fuses #23 (key held in crank position) and #29 in drivers compartment fuse box.

When the key is turned to crank position, Fuse #23 supplies power to the starter relay coil and supplies power to BCU, which in turn supplies a ground path for the starter relay coil, once ground path is suppiied, coil is energized and completes the circuit to starter solenoid.

Check for power at starter relay, when key is turned to crank position...this terminal in relay socket will only be powered when key is turned to crank position. If you have power, then circuit from ignition switch is good. Then using your test light again, hook ground wire of test light to positive post of battery, then, while someone is turning the key to the crank position, probe relay terminals and see if you can find ground circuitry from BCU (test light will light up once you found ground circuit). If one of the circuits is lacking, ground or power, my first suggestion would be is to pull engine compartment fuse box and look for rubbed through wires underneath.

 

Are you sure it's in Park? A slightly misadjusted xyz switch can mean that the lever can be moved to the Park position, but the lights on the shifter bezel and the gear indicator on the dash don't show P, meaning that the electronics don't think that's where the lever actually is.