[Elecraft] [K3] CW "dash" sometimes inhibited?

[Mini Builder]

When sending code on a single paddle keyer, sometimes there's a disruption in "dash" generation; all connections were checked but it has persisted. The last time it happened, I held the paddle motionless in the "dash" position to see if it would regain its senses. After about 5 seconds, the K3 resumed dash generation as if nothing was wrong. The keyer is a new N3ZN unit, which is awesome, and I double checked that the connected on the bottom of the unit are secure. No problem there. 

If it were an electrically intermittent connection, I'd expect it to be just that, intermittent and random. However, when it stops working, it's always about five seconds before it starts working again. There are no connections to my PC other than HRD, so no external keying is involved.

Has anyone seen this before, and if so, what's causing it?

Thanks,

Kurt KK6IPF