Possible to Have Sleep / Wake without Magnetic Sensors Installed?

Hello everyone:

I've replaced a damaged LCD/digitizer. I didn't know when purchasing the part that some components needed to be transferred over from the original display. I believe I have everything transferred except the small cable with components that needs to be soldered onto another cable just left of the home button (when looking from behind the display). I don't have the equipment to solder that on, and decided it isn't worth the expense of paying someone else to do it. I did put tape over the pads so they don't get shorted - but I did close up the case at least once before putting the tape on (though I've erased all content and settings since).

Apparently because of this, manual sleep/wake does not work. Automatic (time-based) does. The power button does work, because I'm able to turn the device on and off with it.

I don't understand why the cable would need to be connected to have manual sleep/wake (using the power button) functionality - my understanding is that it is only used with special cases to activate the feature when the tablet is stored.

There is apparently a "cover lock" setting that would be nice to experiment with, but it doesn't show up in my settings - even after erasing all content and settings.

I've even tried using the "assistive touch" feature, but using the lock option there doesn't work either.

I can live without manual sleep/wake, but if there's something that can be done (once!) before sealing this thing up to get the feature working I'm willing to give it a shot. Something like, for example, putting a short or a load across some pins to simulate a magnet sense, which may result in the "cover lock" setting showing up, which I could then turn off (or on?). Or a service menu or app where I can see/modify information on the sensors?

Any ideas would be much appreciated!