Debbie, Before you decide to eliminate using that needle, try rotating the tube on the thread break sensor about 1/4 of a revolution and see if that helps it be more responsive, if there is no change try it 2 more times until you are back to where it was. You might want to put a small mark on the tube before you begin to gauge the amount of rotation. Hope this helps. Hugo Torbidoni Melco Tech 301-471-3157 HAPPY NEW YEAR! ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)