The left headphone keeps cutting out and i have to push it and usually hold to keep it from cutting out. I know that it is the ipod and not the headphones because it is the same with every set and they work with any other ipod computer etc.

iPod keeps turning off Plug your iPod in overnight to make sure it has charge. If after a full night of charging it has a low battery, there is probably something wrong with your charger cable. Replace the charger cable, especially if yours is old or has ever gotten significantly dirty. Reset your iPod. This basic reset does not remove any content from your iPod. Apple suggests this soft reset as the first fix for any software problems or if the screen freezes. Eject your iPod from your computer first. For an iPod with a click wheel, toggle the hold switch on and off several times, then hold down "Menu" and the center button at the same time until the Apple logo shows up on the screen. For touchscreen iPods, hold down the "Sleep" button at the top right until the Apple logo shows on the screen. Perform a factory restore on your iPod if the previous steps do not fix the problem. Plug it into your computer and open iTunes. Click on your iPod, then click "Restore." This wipes all content from your iPod and re-installs the operating system.
b> iPod Keeps Cutting Off b> Your iPod may cut off during a song or video, or during an application. Different causes lead to different types of cutting off just the sound may disappear, or you may suddenly experience cutting to a different screen. For example, if your iPod cuts off during a song, you may have merely hit the "Pause" button. With a blank white screen, you're encountering a software problem. Whatever the reason, follow some simple troubleshooting steps before contacting Apple's customer service.

Headphones Check that your headphones are connected correctly if the sound cuts out suddenly. If the 3.5-mm headphone jack comes out even a little bit, it can make the sound cut out in one or both headphones. Check for debris in the headphone jack itself, which can prevent a solid contact between the headphones and the iPod. b> Other Sound Issues b> Make sure the volume is up high enough. Also, especially if the iPod is in your pocket, make sure you haven't bumped the pause or sleep button. To ensure that audio plays constantly, engage the lock on your iPod. The music will always stop when you pull out the headphones, and once the headphones are back in, you have to push "Play" again. Cutting to White Screen b> A sudden white screen may appear when a generic software malfunction occurs, one in which t you don't get an error message. You must reset the iPod by turning it off, then on again. If this happens several times and you are using the same application each time, that app may be faulty. Try re-installing or re downloading the app. b> Cutting to Black Screen b> An iPod that cuts out to a black screen and won't turn back on is usually out of power. Usually you'll see a low battery warning, but if you're not looking at your iPod when the warning flashes, you might miss it. Once you connect your iPod to a functional power outlet, you can turn it on immediately, but it's best to wait a few minutes when the battery is very low. This gives the iPod a chance to regain power so it can function normally when you plug it in. Hope it helps.

noo, the same thing happens with mee, i bought 3 diff, kinds of headphones, and they still dont work. it makes meeee soooooooo mad, pppl just dont know

This is a common problem with the headphone jack - if you google "ipod 30Gb headphone jack repair" there are both places that will replace the jack and places that will sell you the new "ribbon" connector and hold switch and jack (it's all one unit). If you're comfortable opening the iPod and have a TINY (#000) jeweler's philips head screwdriver you can replace the unit with no soldering. It helps if you have patience and small fingers and good light; you'll have to fasten the ribbon connector carefully. I paid under $10 for my last part but I've seen the same part for $30+, so caveat emptor. For that price they should put it in for you...

The exact same thing happened to me, and I was using the same brand of headphones. :/ At first I thought it was just a **** brand, when my left headphone stopped working and sound would only reach it if I adjusted the base of the headphones - the bit that connects them to the iPod - a tiny fraction. I had to keep adjusting it to get it to work.
But it turned out that this is a problem that occurs in all brands of headphones. I went from Skull Candy to Sennheiser to Apple to Skull Candy again to Bose and no matter what brand it is, it will happen eventually. I don't think there is a solution, except to keep buying new ones and try taking them out of the iPod more gently and less frequently.

Clearly, a headphone jack issue. Contact 1800MYAPPLE. If the iPod is within warranty, it'll be a free replacement. Otherwise, you already know it.

I just returned my second itouch because of a similar problem. When I went back to return the third and ask for my money back....they guy pushed the headphones in all the way! I know it sounds dumb....okay its very dumb! but make sure the whole plug is in because you'll walk out of Apple looking like a PC

I got this fix from someone on one of these forums so I can't take the credit. It seems to sort the problem out though. Basically the ipod firmware auto pauses when you take the headphones out. Sometime the jack is so sensitive (especially if you buy new phones), that it thinks that you have removed them when you haven't. There is no way of turning this function off (that I know of). However, if you install Rockbox instead (a different operating system that has loads more functionality) then you can switch this function off, resolving the problem.
The only drawback is that you have to work with Rockbox. I only downloaded it last night but it looks pretty neat, way better than the default ipod one.
To switch it off you go to

Settings > Playback Settings > Pause on Headphone unplug > then there are 3 options to play with.

It's worked for me and stopped the infuriating pausing of tracks sometimes a dozen times per track. Relief!

Well, here's a temporary fix until you guys can get new ones. Pull the plastic stopper about halfway up the phones. Then loop the bottom of the entire headphones through the circle that the plastic stoppers create. When you have a tiny loop, pull the upper stopper down and tighten it. People said that they needed to angle the cable in a certain way, right? Well, this fixed mine for now. Just keep it in that position until you can get a replacement or they come up with a permanent fix.

I agree with Solution 5. The copper pins in the jack that make the connection to your headphone plug are bent in such a way that they are springy and will make a good tight connection to the plug. When those copper connections get worn, they are not so springy and they bend inward causing you to lose audio on one side of your headphones unless you wiggle the plug and find that sweet spot that makes a connection. Then you have to hold the wire to keep pressure on it... it gets annoying.

You can open the case and there are slots in the headphone jack that you can get a hook scribe (like the dentists use) or safety pin to bent those copper connections back out. Don't bend them too far or they will break. You can also pick get a new part for $25 or a used part much cheaper. Once you iPod is open, it's a matter of a couple screws and a ribbon cable to replace the jack. Problem solved!

try blowing the headphone jack hole. One hard puff should do the job