2002 x5 does not start

What's your battery voltage? Are the terminals connected tightly?

I replaced the battery and made sure it was fully charged before I installed it. I am now suspecting that the Battery Safety Terminal went bad. Using the jump start connection under the hood effectively by-passes the battery cable and the battery safety terminal in the trunk. When I do this the car starts. What else could it be?

It is possible if the BST had gone off that this could be an issue. Also double check that your ground cable is in good shape and making a good connection.

Battery is brand new and put on a trickle charge all afternoon. Connected a remote ground strap from the engine to the jump post on the inner fender wall. Lights come on in the car, dash lights up, one click from the starter and then nothing. Same as from day one. As soon as it hook up a remote starter pack to the positive and negative posts under the hood the car starts right up. Very frustrating!!

Is the battery ground cable in good shape though? This is pretty strange.

Checked the ground cable and its in good shape. Used two jumper cables to double up the ground function still the same one click and nothing. It starts once my portable charger is connected to the charge posts. is there something in the ignition system that is a safety mechanism that prevents the starter from engaging but is bypassed when the portable battery is used?

Not that I know of. This is a strange issue.

Problem solved! The positive charging post against the fire wall is in fact a bolt that connects two leads. One facing the engine thats visible, and on the backside one thats not in view. The rear facing cable goes to the starter. The rear facing cable was not connected properly after changing the master cylinder. Consequently it was not delivering enough power to turn the starter motor. Reconnected and all is well! Thanks

Glad you got it solved! That would definitely cause these symptoms!