Frustration abounds
 

Even though you can't see this, I'm doing the Macaulay Culkin Face from Home Alone when he applies cologne to his tender face. I'm grabbing my face and screaming. My Janome 6500MC won't zig-zag. Any decorative stitch that requires a light/left stitch is messing up. I'm ready to throw it out the window and buy a different machine. It was in the repair shop 2 hours away back in September for about the same reason! I want needle up/down ,zig-zag, and a good serpentine stitch for starters. We have BabyLoc here in town, but that's about it. Can you give me names of other machine I might want to look at. Thanks!

if you can afford it, look at the janome continental m8.
otherwise, i think any of the janome models from 6700 on up will be great, too.

i don't know much about the serpentine stitch on other brands.

I have had lots of sewing machines over the years: Bernina, Pfaff, etc. My current machine is a Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900. I've had it for about 6 years and can recommend it without reservation. The other machines didn't live up to their claims, but Janome did. Over the years sewing machines have improved, so I would check them all out, using your own fabrics and being especially concerned about a local dealer. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

If I was you, I'd be looking at a Babylock since you have a dealer nearby.

One thing you might try is opening the faceplate and checking to see if anything needs oiling. My Bernina 180 moved side to side but not up and down. When I checked it just needed oil on the needlebar. After oiling, it was find.

Just saw a video and wondered if it might apply. It was about a different Janome MC, but it had lots of tiny springs that can be easily "knocked off" while cleaning. You might check for a loose spring?
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7gpVQfdrS8

you've probably done this, but Dr. Googles returns some good info for "my Janome won't zig zag"

I feel and see you Mcauly face though :) LOVE tech until it doesn't work.

I love my new Bernette. It has a walking foot attached and lots of automated stitches. Under $1000.

Before you give up on the Janome, here is a video of how to service it. I followed the video closely and my machine was sounding like new. I bought the recommended lubricant and had the oil already. It was scary at first but what a difference. And there was a lot stuck in side. good luck https://www.bing.com/videos/rivervie...D2&FORM=WRVORC

If you aren't under warranty, I would look for a service repair man near you just to see if he/she spots something. Two hours is a long way to not have it repaired. I was lucky enough to find a retired engineer who cleans, repairs and works on most machines. I was seldom able to use the needle threader on my Juki 2010Q. He found a burr and filed it away. Works like a charm.