a cheap basic multimeter can be picked up for about a fiver, its a good invstment and can pay for itself quickly if u only use it for checking batteries..
and using it on a resistance setting makes it a simple test to check conductivity without any power connected
I put 2 x tesco elements in my #1 boiler now sold on so i cant strip it back to confirm my recollection. But 1st i left ping ring and pin as is, after a few brews the elements started cutting out, so on the 1st to go i did what Bob did and just bent back the ping ring, when the second went i think i just pulled it off and with both I yanked out the pin with pliers.. I suspect in cutting it off you may have accidently pressed it in a bit and it may be stuck OFF??? the pinched cut bit stopping it from popping back out????? u have nothing to loose by digging/drilling it out, at this stage
-old pic
the led/diode on one hasnt lit up since the hack, but the element heats up ok, the one (1st pic) the diode/lamp works and gets Very hot as u can see its scorched the enclosure lid.
and while its unlikely a new lead could be faulty or have a duff fuse fitted, its not imposible, as its a similar lead to a pc lead, u can test the kettle lead by using it on a pc or monitor.. thats safe, its just not safe to use a non hot condition pc lead on a kettle element..
You will get the new boiler up :)
Once sorted and as long as u scrub back post boil a tesco element should give u very good service, unlike some 'pico' i think elements (sold by brewshops) as they can rust on the backplate regardless of being stamped SS, i got 2 from an online brewshop, and they rusted with contact with water! i got a speedy refund so cant fault the seller, but im not alone suffering that particular problem..
after the brewshop elements i took a punt on 2 chinese ebay bargains, only 1.5kw, and are ment to replace elements in thin metal walled kettles as i had to shave 1/2 the gasket off to fit em into a placky bucket and getb the back to connect with the element. in your SS pot they would just fit in with no mods needed.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Ste ... 43bbcd064b
but i think 2 would be needed in your pot, i used 2 in a 66l bucket hlt..
they can boil 50l

and while a bit naff the placky backing shroud is quite a neat solution, needing no further mods or work..
But as said its worth digging out the cut off pin first as i suspect that may just sort u out..
ps the pin in the ebay elements just falls out when u bend back the ping ring..

no hassle..