Question for the Contax T2 owners out there...

[Impact Blue]

Finally got (one) of my dream cameras...and it doesn't seem to be accepting film. Any thoughts on a blinking '00' frame counter with a new battery? Terminals are clean, shutter and focus seem to operate as normal without film, but still nothing. I've been told a curly leader can disrupt loading, but I'm curious if that's really the problem (I've done my best to flatten it [expired film woes] and my other P&S accept worse conditioned film no sweat).

Troubleshooting, do you happen to know if the body attempts to wind the next frame, without film? I haven't heard any motor noise as of yet.

Thanks for all your help/input guys.