They should obviously be soldered. I just upgraded this same locomotive with a Cruise Commander M.
Reseat all the boards and connectors and try a TMCC reset. From the manual...
Due to the inevitable derailments and static, it is possible that your Command reverse unit could someday lose its setup program. The symptom of this condition would be unresponsiveness in Command mode. This can be easily remedied by “reprogramming” your Command reverse unit using the following steps.
STEP 1: Move the switch on your locomotive from RUN to PGM.
STEP 2: Plug in your Command Base.
STEP 3: Place the locomotive on track, then turn on power to your track.
STEP 4: Press ENG then input the locomotive’s ID#. Press SET.
STEP 5: Press ENG, the ID#, AUX1, then press 34 for this particular locomotive.
STEP 6: Turn off power to your track and wait ten seconds.
STEP 7: Remove the locomotive from your track, and move the switch from PGM to RUN.
STEP 8: Place the locomotive back on track, then turn power on to the track.
STEP 9: Press ENG and the ID#, then operate as normal.
