So you didn't wait for the external bell to sound
Never had this issue personally , but yes you probably got confused at some point I agree with that
Good your fixed
Now can we book you Uber taxi to holiday Inn on bath road Heathrow?
By default its the ext Bell - terminal but it is programmable as anything so if changed won't work as a bell
But it 'could' be a broken core or knackered bell
What happens when you remove the hold off? If the bell doesnt sound then its a faulty bell, if it does, then the next thing to try is put the trigger wire to 0v if it rings then its not the cable.