Fostex 280 doesn't record

Hello,

I recently purchased a Fostex 280 and as I was trying to start recording with it I came across an issue. When it is in recording mode (play + record pressed together) it doesn't record anything from the input, but keeps playing the material that was on the tape before (I am using some pre-used tape to practice for now). The recording timer shows that it's recording but when I play it back the original material on the tape has not been erased and nothing from my input has been recorded.

I have followed the manual and have been trying to figure this out for a while, so any help/guesses will be appreciated. The Fostex is definitely in perfect working condition as it has just been refurbished and looked at.

Many thanks for any ideas in advance!
 
However the fact that the light never stops flashing does indicate that you aren't actually recording. So the entire Record/Play switching system is suspect. It didn't turn on the light permanently, it didn't energize the erase head, it didn't record, and it probably didn't start the bias oscillator either.