It could be that your DCC system can't recognize the decoder. If you are using a Digitrax system, you need to place a 1K-ohm resistor (any wattage) across the programming track (really anywhere in the circuit across the two leads) and that should solve the problem. I have mainly Bachmann engines and the ones that have the factory decoders all require this. Be sure to remove the resistor when you are done programming. In order to make it easy on myself, I cut a small test lead in half and soldered each end to the resistor so I can clip it onto the tracks using the alligator clips. This assumes that your programming track is isolated from the rest of the layout. Hope this helps.
Fred Klein
Okeechobee, FL
Fred Klein
Okeechobee, FL