ikn2:
I open the IDE serial monitor and have Baud 9600 with both NL & CR selected. These are the only selections that get any response at all except for gobble-de-gook.
This doesn't mean much, and code conspicuously absent. but it sounds like you might have the wrong baud rate on Bluetooth. There are two baud rates you need to consider
Arduino<>Serial monitor........9600 should be OK, it is the default
Arduino<>Bluetooth................MUST be 38400
Check here