viper 350hv remote key fob not working?

My Remote Key FOB doesn't seem to be working properly.  Recently when replacing the battery I noticed that the contact points on the circular shape metal 1/2-ring that holds the battery down had busted.  So I pulled out my soldering gun and quickly re-attached and 'fixed' it... or so I thought.  I replaced the battery and the remote seemed to work fine for bout 2-3 days... then there was little responce when trying to lock/unlock my vehicle.

I figured perhaps I had a bad battery, so replaced it w/another new one.  Same thing... worked great for about 2-3 days, and now it barely works.  I have to hold down on the lock/unlock button for sometimes 10-30 seconds or flip the remote w/my finger a couple times to get it to work.

This remote is going on 5 years so I'm assuming it's shot.  I can not get the second... or back-up remote to program into my system.  I've gone thru the steps in my install manual, even cleared both remotes using the '9' feature and still couldn't get the second remote to program back in.  I was able to get the primary remote to re-program, but it doesn't seem to be working too well (as mentioned)

Is there any way to test my key Fob to see if it's actually working?  The blinking light flashes bright and strong, but it just doesn't seem to be communicating very well w/the alarm brain.  I bought a 4-button remote f/a buddy and that should be here in a couple days so hopefully that will fix my problems.  So long as I'm able to get the programing feature to work.

Appreciate your help and/or suggestions.

OK... here's an update.  I was messing w/the key-fob and found that if I remove the rear cover of the plastic housing, the remote works PERFECTLY... if I close it back up and snap both the back and front side together it no-longer works.

It's almost like the plastic halves are lined w/ lead.

I'm tempted to drill a couple small holes on the backside 1/2 of the remote and see if that solves my problems.  Strangely enough... when I put in a brand new battery the remote works fine for a couple days then works less and less frequently and it almost acts like a very week battery.  Could the remote be somehow draining the battery w/out being used?

I'm really at a loss here and have started just locking my jeep w/the power door lock and key... so NO theft protection or warning.  I'd really like to get back to using my alarm so if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate it.  I checked the Viper / DEI website to see who would be an authorized dealer here in the Tulsa, OK area and of the top 5 listed... none of them handle Viper alarms anymore so I'm not sure who to turn to locally.  Thx.