Sorry, didn't see/register this.
The light blinks in this manner if there is a momentary disconnection of the power. It could be that bumping the battery case is moving the front assembly, which already seems to have a problem. Or it could be that you have a problem at the rear case as well. Check the battery springs are tight. The battery compartment is a bugger to use with AA cells as the centre one is a bit tight. Do you have those or the optional rechargeable? Check the rechargeable is plugged securely into its connector if that is your configuration. But it sounds like the front case causing a rear case symptom.
