2012 Ford Fusion Door Handle Replacement Problem

I have a read replaced the door handle on the
driver's side of my 2012, and I wanted to replace
the handle on the passenger's side now that it
doing the infamous "loose hang".  I took the panel
and swapped it out, but when the door was
reassembled, the remote lock function wasn't
working on that door (unlock was working).  I
decided to take it apart again just to check things
out, and now the cable that runs to the latch won't
reach.  What I mean is that the "metal part of the
cable" in the rubber sleeve is showing less metal
cable than before.  As such, the little cylinder that
clips into the handle will not reach if the white
plastic piece is seated in the "saddle" on the door
handle assembly.  The internet seems to have no
comments on this.  I pulled on it...I pulled on it
while locking/unlocking with the remote....nothing.  
I am at my wits end.  I don't want to take it in since
the actuator seems to still be working just fine.  I
just need it to give me a little more cable!