The reset signal in the JP1 cable seems to be the most sensitive to minor voltage incompatibilities. Fortunately, it is the least important signal.

If you can upload and download, but the remote doesn't work until the cable is disconnected, you have a voltage incompatibility on the reset signal.

Usually you can fix it by using different batteries in the remote. Maybe it needs new batteries to work. Maybe it needs very low batteries to work. (Or maybe it won't work). Most people with this problem find it easier to just disconnect the cable before testing the upload.

In your case, it is very unlikely to be a difference between your 2117 and your 2116, so that means it almost has to be the difference between the batteries in your 2117 and those in the 2116. Swap the batteries and prove that the behavior follows the batteries rather than the remote.