Unresponsive Sleep Hold Switch?

After a full charge. I am able to use the unit. Then when finished I turn it off but it then starts to power back up with the "apple logo" and then shuts off....eight seconds later powers back up with "apple logo" and continues this process until the battery power is drained, or until I hold the home button for 10 seconds, at which point it stops trying to reboot and goes into hibernation until I plug into the charger or computer.

A similar thread at ifixit suggested a stuck power switch, but the switch tests ok, and the problem persists even with the back of the ipod removed (power switch out of the loop).

I have restored the OS to no avail, so I doubt it is a software issue.

Any ideas? - John B.