Sony BM88 Won't play tapes...just beeps

Question

Hello. I'm hoping someone can help me. I have a Sony BM88 Transcriber for standard cassettes. I plugged everything in. When I use the foot pedal all I hear is a beeping noise and the tapes won't play. I actually have the same problem with 3 machines and all are Sony BM88. Anyone have any clues as to what is wrong?