Thanks, Miriam. I was so discouraged yesterday I was ready to set the whole thing on the curb LOL I think I'll put it back in the case for a while and use the 15-88 to piece the blocks for my very first quilt.
I really appreciate everyone who has offered suggestions. Know what I appreciate most? No one has said to just give up and send it to the repair shop. First because the local shops I have checked with want to charge more than I paid for the machine and second because I (usually) enjoy fiddling with things. It's great fun even when it gets frustrating.