Help with Remote Control on Rowland Coherence II

This morning without warning and for no apparent reason, the remote control on my CII died on me. I'm figuring replace the 9V battery, right? Well a fresh duracell later and still no life. The external sensor/display is working manually; that is to say volume is displaying as is mute(--)and bypass (.). I'm trying to isolate the problem to the remote and I'm wondering whether those with Rowland remotes can tell me whether anything may be seen at the two small lens at the front end of the remote when it is depressed. Mine is completely dark. The remote is the same as the Synergy IIi, in case anyone has one of those. Any ideas how I might isolate the problem. My objective is to satisfy myself that it is either the remote and/or the sensor. Since the preamp is working and I can play my system by getting off my fat ass and adjusting the volume (oh how spoiled we've become), am I correct in assuming it is not the preamp or the power supply? I hate the thought of breaking down my system and shipping the unit back to JRDG. Any help would be appreciated.