Trouble with DS1307 battery backup

[Amoque]

No... The LCD initializes, then displays "TEST" on startup or reset (both work fine, even with battery inserted), then clears the LCD and displays the time in a simple loop. Function is consistent regardless of battery, except the display remains fixed at 04:04:04 with the battery in place.

Reprogramming sets the time registers to the startup value, but 04:04:04 continues to be displayed until the battery is removed.

In exercising your suggestion, Dave, it appears that the clock continues to function correctly (and accurately) while the display is erroneous; rather it is some anomaly in the I2C that affects the output or display! What is the likelihood that different (lower? Higher?) I2C pull-ups would resolve this?

EDIT: Appending or propending text before or after the time displays as expected as well.