Thanks for responding. I did find others who tried the parking break grounding trick with little luck. It won't work due to the way all the systems are integrated.

Just wondering if there were any modules floating around, that were plug-and-play.
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In any event, I'm a bit bored, so I'll respond to the last section of your post, about a company's ability to void a warranty. So, without further adieu:

In terms of BMW voiding the warranty of a customer's X5 or any company voiding the warranty on any product they manufacture, it's very difficult to do so. In effect their when they attempt to void a warranty, their voiding a contract with their customer, that is strictly regulated by most states and in terms of emissions controls, by the states and the federal govt.

There is a plethora of case law on this and companies rarely are successful in doing so, regardless of the language in the contract, which you can all read in the materials that came with all of our X5s. What a company can sometimes get away with, is to void a specific narrow aspect of the vehicle's warranty.

For example if you splice into the electrical system in an irresponsible manner, or a manner that is inconsistent with accepted automotive repair techniques BMW USA might have a shot at attempting to void the warranty for the system that you've worked on.

Though even then, it's all but impossible, according to court opinions that BMW would be able to avoid responsibility for your car's suspension, or emissions system, etc., because you chose to install your own electronics. Must BMW warranty your work? No. Must you pay BMW to repair your vehicle or have your vehicle repaired by an authorized service center? No. You can just as well repair every aspect of the vehicle on your own, take it into your dealer, without worry whatsoever that you're warranty could be voided. Is it a good idea to keep written record of the work you've performed? Absolutely! But, in terms of a company's ability to void a warranty for a particular product, it's very difficult, expensive, and simply because a company says "we're voiding" your warranty, it does not mean that they will be at all successful to even a minor challenge of their "opinion."

Manufacturers of many different types of products, including automobiles, have attempted to void warranties for years with little success, in the vast majority of cases. More often than not, the law firms that represent automobile companies, use scare tactics to make customers "think" their warranties are voidable. Consumers usually think they're out-of-luck, due to lack of consumer education and complicated legalese.

Generally when an educated consumer responds to such bullying with an attorney of their own (a $300.00 letter, etc.) or seeks a court remedy, more often than not, the company in question is responsible for attorney fees, repair costs, and can often be responsible for punitive damages.

Moral of the story: if your dealer ever threatens to void your warranty, which to me is laughable threat, contact an attorney and learn your rights.

For more info you can google and read the The Magnuson-Moss Act and visit the FTC's website.