Hey nwmac,
Thanks for reaching out about the trouble you're having with your Bluetooth keyboard. I'll be happy to help out.
When connecting an Apple keyboard via Bluetooth it requires a passcode to connect. It sounds like since you replaced the batteries the keyboard is no longer disconnecting itself and needing the passcode to reconnect again. For the issue where the delete key isn't working, take a look at the steps here that can help:
Use the Keyboard Viewer to test whether the keyboard keys are responding correctly when they are pressed.
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then select Language & Region.
- Click the Keyboard Preferences button.
- Click on the Input Sources tab.
- Make sure that the keyboard language that you use is listed on the left side. If it's not, click
and choose from the languages that appear.
- Select the checkbox next to Show Input menu in menu bar.
- Click on the Keyboard tab, then select the checkbox next to Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar.
- Choose Show Keyboard Viewer from the Input menu
in the menu bar. The Keyboard Viewer showing the keyboard layout appears on your display.
- Type the key on the keyboard that doesn’t respond and see if the corresponding key highlights on the Keyboard Viewer. If it does, that key is functioning correctly.
If you enable the Mouse Keys feature, many keys might not respond as you expect. Here's how to turn off Mouse Keys:
- In OS X 10.8 or later, choose Apple menu > System Preferences. Click on Accessibility, then choose Mouse & Trackpad from the list on the left side. Then deselect the Enable Mouse Keys checkbox.
- In OS X 10.7.5 or earlier, choose Apple menu > System Preferences. Click on Universal Access, then select the Mouse & Trackpad tab. Then select the Off button next to Mouse Keys.
If issues with keys persist, try starting up your Mac in single-user mode to see whether a software issue is causing the problem.
If your Apple wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad isn't working as expected - Apple Support
Let us know if that worked out for you! Take care.