IMO, your first question is one you must answer for yourself in your search for a solution. I've neither time nor inclination to go hareing back thru the module trying to see what might be involved in "I really only removed line 76 (use AutoLoader;) and removed lines 650 (1;) and (#__END__)."

As to your "suspicion," it may be well-founded. Consider Corion's reply which looks to be well-worth your attention and followup.