I'm new to this group so I hope that this message gets through. I found the same problem (pod fails/works with shield connected/unconnected) with a pod cable on a z80 pod that I recently purchased from Art AS IS only the internal short to the shield was on pin 2 (A12). Must be a degradation over time in the insulation which was used inside the 40 pin DIP connector of the pod cable. I fixed mine by bypassing pin 2 with a 40 pin socket adapter. Hearing this, I now will expect that this can happen with all original pod cables over time and will need to find (make) a suitable replacement. To debug it I used a flat ribbon cable from an IDE cable and added a 40 pin IDC connector. I put the ribbon cable back on the pod and am learning how to use the 9010A - I don't think that the unshielded cable will hurt me in my low-freq. application (repairing pacman boards). For other pods / higher freq systems, I think the twisted pairs cabling will be needed and I won't buy NOS Fluke replacement cables as a solution.