Problem with NCE decoder

[torikoos]

Hi Guys, normally I'm pretty comfortable with DCC decoders (although I am far from expert), but this one got me stumped...

I installed a NCE N14IP in my new HO Atlas GP38-2 , but I cannot get it to behave. Now, sometimes it might be the DCC system that is somewhat incompatible with decoders (or the other way around), so I will mention that I am trying to program this with a Lenz set 100 DCC system, using the programming track on my system.

I have previously used this decoder in another loco, so I thought I'd quickly plug it into this unit (which is very easy to do, pull off the dynamic brake blister, swap the dummy board for the decoder, and put the blister back on, done, no need for the complete opening up of the loco, great design), give it a new address and off we go... WRONG!

After install I called up the loco's address and it communicated address 4352 to me. This is odd, as this decoder previously had address 2537.... Anyway, I decided to start with a clean slate and reset the decoder, the loco makes it's usual string of buzzes and short yerky movements, power cycles and after that de loco rerturns address 0003 to me, which is default and thus okay.
I tried running the loco under that number first, but nothing happens, no lights no movement.
Returning to the programming track, I read out the address again, I get various results, no address (just lines), 0003 and again 4352 , so I did another reset, followed by programming the address I wanted (4404) and read out the decoder, and after a few attempts I get 4404 returned.
Again, putting it on the layout , nothing happens at all, at one instant de headlight is on continually, but doesn't respond and no movement at all.
I also have to mention that on the programming track, the loco responds in different ways, some cases a few short yerks and buzzes , which are sometimes followed by the loco shooting forward by a few inches, and this usually is resulting in an unsuccesful programming attempt, and sometimes the yerks/buzzes continue a bit longer, and usually seem to return a succesful CV change etc..

I think three things could be the case:

For some reason, the output of the programming track output of my lenz system isn't powerful enough to program this decoder and would need a booster. I think this is unlikely as the decoder is a simple non sound decoder (and actually an N scale decoder, but has powerful motor outputs, so enough to drive this HO loco, it previously worked fine in a SW1500 ).
The other option is that the decoder is duff for some reason, I think this might be possible
Last option is that I need to program this decoder in another way, possibly using 'paged' mode, or direct bit.

So now come the questions:
Has anyone seen this sort of behaviour before, and if so was it a similar combination of an NCE decoder with a Lenz DCC system?
Has this got another root cause, and could it be one of the 3 reasons I mentioned, or is it something different?

Most importantly, does anyone have a solution to this ?

Yes the wheels and all contacts are clean, and so is the programming track. Other locos work fine (I did try another loco to see if I was doing something wrong, but worked fine)

Thanks very much,

Koos

Below the easy access and install into this loco, I really like the way Atlas designed this.


Decoder install atlas gp38-2 by K2K Koos, on Flickr