Cord is loose inside, strange screws prevent opening iron to tighten cords - B&D will not help if not under warranty

broken studs for screw tightning,cant repair without expert,there is one screw under main wire side,second is under pressure knobs to open it

Bring the iron to a Hardware store, ask for a set of tools right for the type of screws (maybe Torx, Security Torx, tri-wing, bristol and others).

Once you can open the iron and access to the cord you may change the power cord. it is easy.

Power goes on & off because the power cord is broken. This failure is very common on irons.

Good luck

If the iron is still in warranty send it back via the shop where you bought it, the inner wire is frayed and needs replacement, if you know an electrician its as simple as shortening the flex by a few inches and reattaching it again. the inner wires twist with time and become frayed or come loose from connection

Unless you are really good with miniature parts and can have the patience to open and repair, I suggest you buy a replacement cord/socket assembly. it should still be available, afterall it is a common problem. Just about any appliance repait place will do this for you , or yiu can order the assembly and do it yourself. Good -luck,Macgivor

under the knob to press to retract the cord there is a screw,
slacken it ad try to adjust it again.

Most high end appliances (like Rowenta Irons) are made so repairs like that can be done. I haven't played with that model, but I did replace a cord on my Norelco. The torx screwdrivers you are looking for can be purchased, and are often found at either specialty electronic stores (not the average Radio Shack), automotive stores and quite readily online. They are also known as Torx Security bits or Torx Safety bits. Most appliances are made with those screws to prevent the average person from having a go at trying to fix it, but, if you feel comfortable enough with the electronics (even just to look for a loose connection), the bits are available and usually at a fairly decent price.

I think I have the solution now! 
 
First of all, remove the temperature knob. Than remove the temperature indicator (it's like a little disc). Theres a hidden screw under the temperature indicator! Remove that screw and continue with your fixes.

I hope it could help you.
Jardel

p.s. - Sorry for my noob english...

on most common IRONS , theres a screw located on the back where the main cord is , underneath it , AJ

first, i'll apologize for not posting pictures with this, but i didn't have a camera handy when i "fixed" it. i'll do my best to explain the sitch.

i also have a sunbeam 4124 whose retractor was jammed...the cord would not release more than two feet or so, nor would it retract. i was able to disassemble it, but broke some internal retaining clips meant to hold the retractor housing to the iron. WARNING!! do not attempt this if you do not want to void your warranty. i can only assume that the manufacturer did not want you to disassemble the cord return housing and as such, hid the retaining clips where it would be impossible to disengage them. i got lucky and only broke one set of the retaining clips....if you carry on, you stand a chance of breaking both sets, which will not allow you to reattach the retractor housing to your iron securely. best thing to do is call sunbeam and have them send you a new iron, but if you're bent on fixing it yourself, here's how i did it (you'll need one medium philips head screwdriver):

1) remove the rubber feet from the bottom of the iron. this will expose two screw holes (the third foot under the retractor button has no screw; this is the side where the reaining clips are buried).
2) remove the two screws
3) WARNING! this is where you have a good chance of breaking your iron. pull the base of the iron really hard, rocking it from side to side. there are two sets of retaining clips recessed in the housing of the iron. the button will come with the base of the iron, the entire cord retraction assembly is self-contained. you can carefully use a screwdriver to pry the two halves apart. also, be careful not to pull too hard as the electrical connections between the iron and the retractor assembly has only about 2 inches of slack, though the connections are just wire-nut'd together and could be reassembled in a pinch.
4) after the retractor housing is separated from the iron, remove the housing cap by unscrewing the four screws.
5) carefully separate the two halves of the housing; the spring may be loose inside and could snap out at you.

here's where my iron was broken....the coil spring is contained by a plastic tray that had snapped, probably due to somebody pulling the cord out too hard. a section of the tray had jammed itself into the inside of the housing, immobilizing the winding mechanism. my only recourse was to completely remove the spring and permanently extend the cord all the way (not one of the features i bought the iron for anyway, so what the heck). PLEASE be careful unwinding the spring if you have to do it....wouldn't want anybody poking out an eye inadvertantly.

6) reassemble the retractor housing by screwing the cap back on with the four screws
7) if you're lucky enough to keep one set of retainer clips, snap the base of the iron back on and reattach the two screws located under the feet.
8) rubber pads back in and voila!

hope this helps!

first, i'll apologize for not posting pictures with this, but i didn't have a camera handy when i "fixed" it. i'll do my best to explain the sitch.

i also have a sunbeam 4124 whose retractor was jammed...the cord would not release more than two feet or so, nor would it retract. i was able to disassemble it, but broke some internal retaining clips meant to hold the retractor housing to the iron. WARNING!! do not attempt this if you do not want to void your warranty. i can only assume that the manufacturer did not want you to disassemble the cord return housing and as such, hid the retaining clips where it would be impossible to disengage them. i got lucky and only broke one set of the retaining clips....if you carry on, you stand a chance of breaking both sets, which will not allow you to reattach the retractor housing to your iron securely. best thing to do is call sunbeam and have them send you a new iron, but if you're bent on fixing it yourself, here's how i did it (you'll need one medium philips head screwdriver):

1) remove the rubber feet from the bottom of the iron. this will expose two screw holes (the third foot under the retractor button has no screw; this is the side where the reaining clips are buried).
2) remove the two screws
3) WARNING! this is where you have a good chance of breaking your iron. pull the base of the iron really hard, rocking it from side to side. there are two sets of retaining clips recessed in the housing of the iron. the button will come with the base of the iron, the entire cord retraction assembly is self-contained. you can carefully use a screwdriver to pry the two halves apart. also, be careful not to pull too hard as the electrical connections between the iron and the retractor assembly has only about 2 inches of slack, though the connections are just wire-nut'd together and could be reassembled in a pinch.
4) after the retractor housing is separated from the iron, remove the housing cap by unscrewing the four screws.
5) carefully separate the two halves of the housing; the spring may be loose inside and could snap out at you.

here's where my iron was broken....the coil spring is contained by a plastic tray that had snapped, probably due to somebody pulling the cord out too hard. a section of the tray had jammed itself into the inside of the housing, immobilizing the winding mechanism. my only recourse was to completely remove the spring and permanently extend the cord all the way (not one of the features i bought the iron for anyway, so what the heck). PLEASE be careful unwinding the spring if you have to do it....wouldn't want anybody poking out an eye inadvertantly.

6) reassemble the retractor housing by screwing the cap back on with the four screws
7) if you're lucky enough to keep one set of retainer clips, snap the base of the iron back on and reattach the two screws located under the feet.
8) rubber pads back in and voila!

hope this helps!