iPod Shuts off When I Insert the Headphones

[afro_puff]

I don't know why this started happening because I take amazing care of my iPod and because it is encased in one of those iSkin protection sleeves, so my iPod is REALLY protected.

Any way, like the Subject says, all of a sudden the iPod freaked out and whenever I plug the headphone jack in it will shut it's self off and restart (the apple logo will pop up). Then one of two things happens... 1) it will present me with the main menu and the iPod will work fine because the headphones are already plugged in OR 2) it will pop up the little "no battery left" symbol which doesn't makes sense because the iPod has been charging all night and has a complete charge. Also if I then go and manually restart the iPod the batteries will be full again.

This is really pissing me off and I hope that it is a software problem rather than a hardware problem (btw, I got the iPod in December of 2002).

So, does it sould like I need to reformat my iPod or should I just send it to apple because this appears to be a hardware problem? Thanks in advance!