[Elecraft] K3 internal 2-meter transverter problem

[Rus Healy]

I have an older K3 (low-2000 serial number) with the K144XV internal
2-meter transverter and KXV3A module (factory-upgraded in 2014).

In the September VHF contest, the first time I've used that band on that
radio, I found that the transmitter is flying. It puts out 2-3 watts when
keyed, regardless of mode (CW, SSB), with no keying/modulation. It drives
up to a few watts output and sounds okay on-frequency, TX and RX, but is
clearly not stable and the bad energy is in-band on 2 meters, and quite
nearby.

I haven't looked at the output on the spectrum analyzer yet, or taken the
radio apart to inspect the transverter; I wanted to ask here for any
similar experiences before I tear into it to hopefully save a bit of time.

Thanks in advance.

--73, Rus, K2UA