SKS and Wireless Key Malfunction

When I put my hand on the driver's door handle to open the door, a series of 10 beeps with the flashing exterior lights occurs. Door won't open. Must use metal key in fob. On exit, touch handle on outside (above/below pinch) results in nothing, or a stuttered double clicking sound. Door not locked and metal key from fob used to lock door. SKS works sometimes, but I never know if or when I'm going to need the metal key. Battery fresh.
When wireless button to unlock/lock is used, it sometimes works, sometimes does not.
Door no longer automatically locks after period of time. I can forget to lock and come back hours later and still unlocked.
I've tried the spare fob. Same result. I've left cell phone in house. Same problems. I've tried turning away from the door so the fob is not as close. Same problems. Cleaned door handle. No change.
It's been a great car to own otherwise, but I'm about ready to beat my plowshares in to swords!

 

Replaced 12v on October 11, 2012.

 

This was a tough one given the paucity of replies. I took it to the dealer yesterday (Jim Barkley in Asheville, NC) and diagnosis was bad actuator in drivers door. It was replaced at the dealer ($471.76 parts and labor).
Secondary diagnosis in the event replacing actuator does not fix the problem is the "Brain" Computer Assembly may need replacement ($459.60 part and $190.00 labor). Senior tech person said he'd had to do it a few times on Camrys, but never on a Prius. It does not seem logical that an important part such as this would change out so easily. Prius computer assembly part number is 89220-47070.
While there, I had the recall brake pump assembly repaired, which required the 12v battery to be temporarily disconnected.
So far, so good. both SKS and wireless key function normally. Probably just the actuator as the source of all my misery. But a reset of the computer when the 12v was reconnected may have helped too.

 

It's been 10 days now since the actuator was replaced and there has not been a single malfunction/misfunction of the keyless system. Works like a champ. I get a good loud "thunk" when opening and locking, just like when it was new. I would never have dreamed that such a simple part could generate so many mysterious symptoms.

 

It's been 6 weeks now since actuator was replaced. Not a single malfunction since.