They should still work, but because there is a verybshort day cycle they are not really effective. The lever thing is maybe because that you didnt complete one of the two trigger quests after you have selected both difficulties. That trigger quest is stand right about in the middle. I will fix the quest where it says start the map, that before you can start it you need to have chosen both difficulties
The only quest I had was the one telling me to get the items from the roof. I had done it 3 times before(trying to get a feel for the map), and I never had that issue. It may have been something I did, who knows.lol I fixed it by hitting the toggle latch, and it worked fine since. Sorry if it was something I did.