Yesterday I was given a 'brand new' sewing machine. I say brand new as it has only been used 2/ 3 times but it is quite old. Imagine my disappointment when I plugged it in all ready to try and it did not work :( . The light comes on but the foot peddle does nothing. I am going to see if it can be fixed as I would love to give it to my youngest daughter.
I have just taken it into a local man (does not 'do' embroidery machines) and he tested it and it is the foot control. The worst is that I will need to buy a new foot control. He said that it looks as if it has never been used. It is an Emphisal EM-250 sewing machine.
Good luck!