It is the AC leaf switch thing. I set Hijack to force DC on bootup, and that has solved the problem for the time being.

Since my brother-in-law has now moved down to Mexico with us, we won't be returning to Alaska any time soon, so I have sold the beloved ShoWagon to a friend in Fairbanks who will take good care of it and of the stereo. (Asking price: $1.00, paid in cash.) He has considerable electronics training and experience, and he will be able to replace that jack.

tanstaafl.