Called the manufacturer and they sent their contracted repair guy out to look at it (it was no longer on warranty though). Charged me $95 for the service call then tells me they can no longer get the part. At all. They don't make it anymore. But if they had been able to get it, this would have cost me an additional $250 in labor/parts!
I'm thinking, this is only 2 years old. This can't be the case. So I sent that guy packing before he could charge me anymore money for his worthless advice .... got online, found the part here on Appliance Parts Pros within a few minutes - bought it and then had a handyman neighbor replace the part for $50.00. Score!! Then I went on and bought another of the same part, just to have it on hand for when it breaks again. :)