My machine is giving me an error 88 and keeps flashing fast when I turn it on.

It generally indicates that something is preventing the machine from going through its default sequence when you turn it on. That could indicate a snapped belt or one out of place, thread tangled around the inside of the hand wheel, thread wrapped around or near the tension disks, OR it could indicate that something is still on that shouldn't be one--for instance, if you have to do two things on the machine to get a buttonhole, say, a lever and a dial, only one is on, etc.

The first step is to go to your user's manual (you can download it free at the Singer site if you don't have one), and do each step to set it up, making sure you have done it correctly, and making sure things like the bobbin winder are not half on and half off.

the machine may have a problem with a sensor, if turning it off/on again doesn't clear the machine, you may need to have it checked

try a new needle
try a new bobbin--make sure the bobbin is turned the right way in the bobbin case
check under the needle plate and in the feed dog area for thread
it could also be a problem with the motherboard.

if there is a reboot option it should be in the instruction manual
if it doesn't show there, contact the one you bought the machine
from to see what they suggest.
you said you had the machine plugged into a serge protector
I also suggest a battery back up you can get them at different stores
like wal mart or best buy, that way if the power goes out the battery
back up will kick in and keep the embroidery project going, the
battery back ups have different time amounts on them, we have 2
battery back up, one for our desk top pc and the other for our
daughters pc for her school work and they do come in handy.

Try raising and lowering the feed dogs a couple times there may be something in there that's tripping the sensor.

It ended up being an airhead mistake... my embroidery foot had loosened and became crooked, causing the machine to think that the thread was hung up because the foot couldn't go down properly. Very happy that it wasn't an expensive fix. In fact, it didn't cost me a thing! Yea!!!

I have been having the same thing happen. I just discovered the bobbin winder was in the wind position. I moved it and I am in business again! Hope it works for you!

Try Gezina Sewing machine I find they are very helpfull.
(012) 335 0636

Hi, and welcome to FixYa. If I understand your problem, the needle goes in and out of your fabric, and the embroidery hoop moves, but the machine does not actually start embroidering your design right away....did I get it right? If have time to answer a few questions, I can give more accurate instructions.

1. How long have you had your machine?
2. How long have you been doing machine embroidery?
3. Do you have a manual for your machine?
4. Look at the back side of your design - do you see lots of bobbin thread, or hardly any?
5. Have you taken lessons for your machine or for embroidery?
6. When your design is finished, can you where the machine skipped stitches?
   

Here a couple of things you can try (if you have already):

• Make sure you use an embroidery needle, not a universal. In most cases, you should use a size 90. Change your needle after each project. A blunt need can cause your machine to skip embroidery stitches anywhere in the design.
  
• Rewind or replace your bobbin. Make sure you use bobbin thread in your bobbin when you embroider - it is thinner and gives you better tension. If pre-wound embroidery bobbins are compatible with your machine, I recommend that you try one and compare the result with designs sewn using the bobbin thread you've been using.
  
• Normally, you should loosen your tension a little bit when you embroider. When you look at the back side of your embroidery, you should see more bobbin thread than embroidery thread.

I owned an embroidery business for several years, and I have six different embroidery machines of my own - so with a little more info from you, I think I can help.

My machine did the same thing. I had several frustrated nights ans then it just started to work. Some suggestions that I had was that there may be dust where the units connect. Not sure what I did, but it worked.