the previous owner had the mast already and the old cord had been removed. i think he went into the assembly and i dont know if he might have lost an internal part. the cord is in correctly but when it operates it sounds like the cord is barely catching the gears. like not enough pressure is being applied on the cord at the squeeze point inside the assembly. it is almost like there should be a roller instead of the thin rod i have just sticking up at this point inside the assembly.