Im having the same trouble when doing the mute-pin16/ebrake to ground hack. I have tested end to end with a multimeter and KNOW that i have continuity from the relocated mute wire to ground. Im just as confused as you!! Ive tried to boot an sd with testmode on it and nothing happens.
Im thinking its the firmware. Im running version 3.020100 on an X910bt. What is your firmware version?