Tom, I can never remember which error message it is (X or Y tracking) but when we get it, it means there is dust or lint on an electric eye sensor behind the needle housing-you have to get in behind there with a 'blaster' and blow it out. Not sure if it shows where in the manual, it was a tech on the phone that told my wife where it was, and it worked instantly. Since she does most of the embroidery itself I am not sure where it is. And yes, it shows up in trace sometimes, other times right in the middle of a sewout. Now when we get to maintainence, we try and remember even if just rotary hook time to blast out behind there. Roland