I have owned my wonderful GL2 since September 2002, using it quite extensively. Over the summer in 2003, I purchased ME-66 Sennheiser shotgun microphone, with an XLR to mini connector.

Recently when I was shooting a documentary using the shotgun mic to the mini, I noticed this cracking sound and this contast wigging out of the microphone. IT SOUNDED AWFUL!

I had to pull out the cord and go on camera just to finish the shoot.

I came home to check the camera, mic, and connections.
1. The camera works fine.
2. The microphone works fine.
3. I think the XLR to mini cord works ok? I tried testing the setup on my friends camera, it worked for a while, and then when we were using his camera the next day, his audio started to do the same scrathing and going in-and-out of audio.

I THINK... its the actual mini jack plug for the audio. I can turn and twist the mini input inside the jack and sometimes find a sweet spot that lasts until the slightest touch. I looked inside the jack with a light and noticed that it does not look like the headphone jack, if that makes sense. The top metal bar appears to be higher than the working headphone jack. Can i just pull that down?

Has anyone ever heard about the mic input jack just going crazy? Or do you really think it is a cord issue? If so, what is the cheapest and fastest way to fix it?
The local repair shop charges $65 non-refundable just to see what the problem is, not even to replace it.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND HOW SHOULD I FIX IT?
THANKS!

where did you get the mic cord? Because, it's probably wired incorrectly. Most of those adapter cables are wired for unbalanced mics. Also, I think gl-2s send that annoying 6v that can cause distortion. These people sell the correct cables for 40-60 bucks--some will even suppress the line voltage. Alternatively, buy a real converter from beachtek or studio one for 100 bucks or so.

Hope some of this helps.

yeah, like Joren said, you really should be connecting that excellent microphone to an XLR port (XLR adapters are worth it)