MORE experimenting:
The camera works fine with the lens 'on' the body, but as soon as I rotate the barrel to lock it in place, it becomes unresponsive... It start becoming unresponsive after about halfway to 'full lock'...
I will update this thread as I track down and potentially fix the problem.
EDIT: When the contacts of the lens and body touch, that is when it becomes unresponsive. Locking it into place simply brought the contacts close enough to touch. I'm thinking its either: a) dirty contacts, although unlikely, I will get some decent contact cleaner tomorrow. b) a micro processor in the camera is crapping out. c) circuitry in the lens itself is crapping out (perhaps a cold solder joint). A & C I can fix, so hopefully its not B.
This situation makes me appreciate my all mechanical cameras just a little more...