On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 01:07:53 -0700, whit3rd wrote:

The LM317 requires an output current of 5 mA or more, to bias it. If
you really ARE only drawing 3 mA, that could be the problem.

Nope. It was still malfunctioning even when loaded down with resistors in
parallel to the load to increase the current draw.
I expect to have a definitive answer to what was responsible for the
issue at some point today.