This is a classic symptom of either a dead r2lc (radio board) or, as mentioned above, its not detecting the command signal and its coming up in conventional mode. Sometimes the radio boards just die. I would first remove the shell, and re-seat the radio board (6 screws and the shell pops right off). Sometimes it's just a bad connection in the socket. The radio board on the JLCs is buried a bit so its a little work to get to it. Also try the loc with the shell off to see if it detects the command signal. There is a wire nut connecting the antenna to radio board. Make sure that is tight. The antenna is the top two cover plates on the JLC. If they are making connection to the frame that could also kill the signal. I am very familiar with this because I have a JLC GG1 and its radio board also died.
The good news is that Lionel's half price is coming up. You can get a new radio board at the sale. I believe that loc uses revision c13 or higher.
