I have a 40 yr old New Home and it's pedal was getting really hot. I took it apart and noticed some rust on the springs. Guess what - when I let off of the foot pedal it did not come all the way up so it kept the current flowing continously. For $24 I replaced it easily with a new one and have not had a problem since. I strongly urge you to change it out before you use it much more. I was shocked at the rust, lint and just plain dirt in the foot. Mine was a metal foot and I could slide the bottom plate off to see the metal springs and the ceramic posts. Really old technology. ;)