Thanks for the suggestions, but the 'BillBoost' method (hey, that is catchy!) isn't working for me, hence this thread.
@Jnibbs24: mine were acting like that, too. Changing the battery didn't help. Cleaning the circuit board contacts with a q-tip and running alcohol did help a little. I'm thinking the problem is the pads under the rubber buttons are losing their connectivity &/or metal on pads wearing thin or have developed a thin layer of something the alcohol doesn't remove. I can trigger the buttons with the screwdriver on my pocket knife without range issues, but it is still somewhat iffy when it triggers.