I Guess I Will Have to Mix Without Automation

I had a rough mix without any automation.  Before adding volume/fader automation, I went into Offset mode to ensure all faders were at 0 when in Offset mode.  They were.  I disabled Offset and disabled the O key.
 
Then I began adding volume nodes to tracks.  Here is what happened.
 
•  With Read ON and Write OFF, the faders did not respond to automation.  They track passed the nodes but the faders did not move (on screen or on the control surface).
•  With Read ON and Write ON, the faders dutifully moved up when they passed the nodes—but the tracks were silent.  I don't even know how this is possible.
 
What the hell?
 
I am using the same Sonar other people are using so I don't see how I can have a bug in a common function that everyone else uses.  PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I AM MISSING.  THANKS!
 
EDIT:  I still believe this has something to do with a major issue/bug with offset mode.  When I go back to an older version of this project, the mix sounds basically OK (for a starting point) but every track is in Offset mode.  The problem seems to be that, despite all the help and advice I've gotten here, Offset mode changes do not want to go away.  I think that is somehow corrupting things.  Maybe I am wrong, but I am not confident I can get rid of this Offset crap.  Note that in the original post above, I methodically zeroed out all the offsets.  Should have moved the faders to -INF instead of 0?

Hey, Geoff.  I went back to an archived version of the project and am once again removing all Offset and all Automation from tracks and buses.  I will report back on the results.  Thanks.

Thanks, FBB.  I don't use templates, but for no particular reason.  Generally now, I just start a fresh project from scratch.  A long time ago, I used to rename a project and then delete all the audio and MIDI so I would have my basic instruments set up, but I never do that anymore.
 
I am working through this one.  I went back to an older version, killed all the Offsets (set to 0), removed all the automation, set the faders to -INF and am starting to remix.  I am praying that automation will behave and will let you know.
 
If nothing else, getting some kind commiseration from my fellow writers and producers makes me feel better. :-)

This thread is making me realize how much I take automation for granted...it's never given me problems. (Knock on wood, which isn't too difficult because a Les Paul Melody Maker is sitting next to me.)
 
Good luck, Konrad...something is definitely weird and wrong. It always sucks to have a problem no one else has had, because that narrows the universe of people who can tell you how they fixed it to zero.