Wii remotes I changed the bettery, checked all connections twice, and held the sync button for 15 seconds and the Wii still doesn't recognize either controllers...no crosshairs or anything.

There are two ways to sync the Wii remote with the Wii console after pressing the red sync button like you did:

1) Press the "1" and "2" buttons on the Wii remote until the lights begin to flash. This method provides a temporary connection to the Wii.
2) Open the battery cover on the Wii remote and press the red button next to the batteries. This creates a permanent connection or "pair" between the Wii remote and the Wii console.
Based on your description, it sounds like you are using method #1. In order to power on the Wii when the Wii's red light is on (meaning the machine is turned off) and start playing games like you want, method #2 must be used.
Imagine method #1 as "guest mode". If a friend comes over with their Wii remote and wants to play a game, you would open up the game first, use method #1, and your friend would temporarily be connected to the Wii. Using method #1 is like "owner mode" that lets the Wii remote turn the console on and off and always stay connected to it.
Hope this helps!

Did you sync them?? Check the following Nintendo website with a HOWTO on syncing controllers:

Wii Remote not being recognized by the Wii Console (lights on the Wii Remote flash when you press a button, but then go out)

Try these steps!


1. Turn the Wii console power OFF by pressing the POWER Button on the front of the console. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet for a few seconds. After a few seconds have elapsed, plug the cord back into the wall outlet.


2. Turn the power of the Wii console ON. When you see the Health and Safety screen, open the small flap on the front of the Wii console to find a red button labeled "SYNC." Press and hold the SYNC Button down for 15 seconds. This will clear all the syncs on the Wii, allowing you to get a clean start to begin the process described below.


3. After holding the SYNC Button on the Wii console down for at least 15 seconds, you can now "re-sync" your Wii Remotes:
   
   
   1. With the first Wii Remote you wish to sync, remove the battery cover on the back of the Wii Remote to find a small red button just below the batteries.
   
   
   2. Press and release the small red button just below the batteries on the Wii Remote; the blue lights on the front of the Wii Remote will blink.
   
   
   3. Quickly press and release the red SYNC button on the inside of the white flap on the front of the Wii console (picture).
   
   
   4. When the Player LED blinking stops and stays lit, the syncing is complete. The LED that is illuminated indicates the player number (1 through 4).
   5. This sync procedure (steps "a" through "d" above) must be followed for each additional Wii Remote added to the system.
      
      If you are still unable to get the Wii console to recognize your Wii Remote(s) after carefully following the steps above, please call 1-800-255-3700 for further assistance.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM NINTENDO'S WEBSITE

Hold the Wii Remote with the button side down. Without using much force, firmly tap the button side of the remote against the palm of your other hand a few times. Doing this does not take a lot of force, so be sure not to tap the Wii Remote very hard. Check for proper response. If the problem is not solved, please follow the rest of the instructions on this page. For all Wii Remote issues: If you are experiencing problems with a new Wii Remote, or are having difficulty with a Wii Remote that was previously working properly, please carefully read and follow the instructions on this page. Check to make sure the Sensor Bar cord is inserted into the back of the Wii console and the Sensor Bar is centered above or below your TV screen (more info). Make sure you are using fresh batteries in the Wii Remote. The Wii Remote Controller should be used between 3 to 10 feet from the TV. Make sure no objects are blocking the signals between the Sensor Bar, the Wii console, and the Wii Remote. Check for interference from infra-red light sources, such as candles, sunlight, fireplaces, and stoves. Radio frequency interference may cause the Wii Remote to work erratically. Check for wireless devices such as cordless phones, wireless computer keyboards or mice, or other similar devices, and move or turn them off.
Wii Remote not being recognized by the Wii Console (lights on the Wii Remote flash when you press a button, but then go out) - Most Common: Getting the Wii console to recognize (or "sync" with) a Wii Remote, especially one that did not come in the box with your Wii console, may require doing a few additional steps before it can be synced. Additionally, a Wii Remote that was working, but is no longer being recognized (or has "lost its sync") may need to be re-synced. Please use the troubleshooting steps listed below, Try these steps! Turn the Wii console power OFF by pressing the POWER Button on the front of the console. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet for a few seconds. After a few seconds have elapsed, plug the cord back into the wall outlet. Turn the power of the Wii console ON. When you see the Health and Safety screen, open the small flap on the front of the Wii console to find a red button labeled "SYNC." Press and hold the SYNC Button down for 15 seconds. This will clear all the syncs on the Wii, allowing you to get a clean start to begin the process described below. After holding the SYNC Button on the Wii console down for at least 15 seconds, you can now "re-sync" your Wii Remotes: With the first Wii Remote you wish to sync, remove the battery cover on the back of the Wii Remote to find a small red button just below the batteries. Press and release the small red button just below the batteries on the Wii Remote; the blue lights on the front of the Wii Remote will blink. Quickly press and release the red SYNC button on the inside of the white flap on the front of the Wii console (picture). When the Player LED blinking stops and stays lit, the syncing is complete. The LED that is illuminated indicates the player number (1 through 4). This sync procedure (steps "a" through "d" above) must be followed for each additional Wii Remote added to the system.

First unplug your Wii from power cord and wait 30 min.Then plug it again and turn it on.Press and hold the red SYNC button for 15 seconds. This will clear all synced Wii Remotes from the console.Then try to sync it again.Push the red sync button on the console, then open the batteries cover on your Wii Remote and push the red button there.If this not help may be you have problem with bluethoot device on your Wii and this need service.

it sounds like it could be faulty but I got this info from nintendo's website and at the bottom there is a customer service phone number that will help with any other problems relating to remotes for the wii

Still having problems? If the basic guidelines above did not solve your problem, the more specific information below may help.

• Wii Remote not being recognized by the Wii Console (lights on the Wii Remote flash when you press a button, but then go out) - Most Common:
  Getting the Wii console to recognize (or "sync" with) a Wii Remote, especially one that did not come in the box with your Wii console, may require doing a few additional steps before it can be synced. Additionally, a Wii Remote that was working, but is no longer being recognized (or has "lost its sync") may need to be re-synced. Please use the troubleshooting steps listed below, which our experience has shown can solve many Wii Remote issues.
  
  Try these steps!
  
  1. Turn the Wii console power OFF by pressing the POWER Button on the front of the console. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet for a few seconds. After a few seconds have elapsed, plug the cord back into the wall outlet.
     
     
  2. Turn the power of the Wii console ON. When you see the Health and Safety screen, open the small flap on the front of the Wii console to find a red button labeled "SYNC." Press and hold the SYNC Button down for 15 seconds. This will clear all the syncs on the Wii, allowing you to get a clean start to begin the process described below.
     
     
  3. After holding the SYNC Button on the Wii console down for at least 15 seconds, you can now "re-sync" your Wii Remotes:
     1. With the first Wii Remote you wish to sync, remove the battery cover on the back of the Wii Remote to find a small red button just below the batteries.
        
        
     2. Press and release the small red button just below the batteries on the Wii Remote; the blue lights on the front of the Wii Remote will blink.
        
        
     3. Quickly press and release the red SYNC button on the inside of the white flap on the front of the Wii console (picture).
        
        
     4. When the Player LED blinking stops and stays lit, the syncing is complete. The LED that is illuminated indicates the player number (1 through 4).
        
        
     5. This sync procedure (steps "a" through "d" above) must be followed for each additional Wii Remote added to the system.
        
     
     
  If you are still unable to get the Wii console to recognize your Wii Remote(s) after carefully following the steps above, please call 1-800-255-3700 for further assistance.
  

I know this says if your console does not recognise your remote, but they should be able to help you with your problem too

try this! I found it on Nintendo.com under support:

Wii Remote not being recognized by the Wii Console (lights on the Wii Remote flash when you press a button, but then go out) - Most Common:
Getting the Wii console to recognize (or "sync" with) a Wii Remote, especially one that did not come in the box with your Wii console, may require doing a few additional steps before it can be synced. Additionally, a Wii Remote that was working, but is no longer being recognized (or has "lost its sync") may need to be re-synced. Please use the troubleshooting steps listed below, which our experience has shown can solve many Wii Remote issues.

Try these steps!

1. Turn the Wii console power OFF by pressing the POWER Button on the front of the console. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet for a few seconds. After a few seconds have elapsed, plug the cord back into the wall outlet.
   
   
2. Turn the power of the Wii console ON. When you see the Health and Safety screen, open the small flap on the front of the Wii console to find a red button labeled "SYNC." Press and hold the SYNC Button down for 15 seconds. This will clear all the syncs on the Wii, allowing you to get a clean start to begin the process described below.
   
   
3. After holding the SYNC Button on the Wii console down for at least 15 seconds, you can now "re-sync" your Wii Remotes:
   1. With the first Wii Remote you wish to sync, remove the battery cover on the back of the Wii Remote to find a small red button just below the batteries.
      
      
   2. Press and release the small red button just below the batteries on the Wii Remote; the blue lights on the front of the Wii Remote will blink.
      
      
   3. Quickly press and release the red SYNC button on the inside of the white flap on the front of the Wii console (picture).
      
      
   4. When the Player LED blinking stops and stays lit, the syncing is complete. The LED that is illuminated indicates the player number (1 through 4).
      
      
   5. This sync procedure (steps "a" through "d" above) must be followed for each additional Wii Remote added to the system.
      
   
   

If you are still unable to get the Wii console to recognize your Wii Remote(s) after carefully following the steps above, please call 1-800-255-3700 for further assistance.

We had this same problem so I did a google search for 2nd wii remote not connecting or staying connected and this is what we came up with and did this and it really works! So hopefully this will help all of you to. Good luck! K and M

This is from www.nintendo.com/wii :

Wii Remote not being recognized by the Wii Console (lights on the Wii Remote flash when you press a button, but then go out) - Most Common:
Getting the Wii console to recognize (or "sync" with) a Wii Remote, especially one that did not come in the box with your Wii console, may require doing a few additional steps before it can be synced. Additionally, a Wii Remote that was working, but is no longer being recognized (or has "lost its sync") may need to be re-synced. Please use the troubleshooting steps listed below, which our experience has shown can solve many Wii Remote issues.
http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/ts/wiiremote.jsp

Try these steps!

1. Turn the Wii console power OFF by pressing the POWER Button on the front of the console.Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet for a few seconds. After a few seconds have elapsed, plug the cord back into the wall outlet.
   
   
2. Turn the power of the Wii console ON. When you see the Health and Safety screen, open the small flap on the front of the Wii console to find a red button labeled "SYNC." Press and hold the SYNC Button down for 15 seconds. This will clear all the syncs on the Wii, allowing you to get a clean start to begin the process described below.
   
   
3. After holding the SYNC Button on the Wii console down for at least 15 seconds, you can now "re-sync" your Wii Remotes:
   1. With the first Wii Remote you wish to sync, remove the battery cover on the back of the Wii Remote to find a small red button just below the batteries.
      
      
   2. Press and release the small red button just below the batteries on the Wii Remote; the blue lights on the front of the Wii Remote will blink.
      
      
   3. Quickly press and release the red SYNC button on the inside of the white flap on the front of the Wii console (picture below).
      
      
   4. When the Player LED blinking stops and stays lit, the syncing is complete. The LED that is illuminated indicates the player number (1 through 4).
      
      
   5. This sync procedure (steps "a" through "d" above) must be followed for each additional Wii Remote added to the system.

We had this same problem so I did a google search for 2nd wii remote not connecting or staying connected and this is what we came up with and did this and it really works! So hopefully this will help all of you to. Good luck! K and M

This is from www.nintendo.com/wii :

Wii Remote not being recognized by the Wii Console (lights on the Wii Remote flash when you press a button, but then go out) - Most Common:
Getting the Wii console to recognize (or "sync" with) a Wii Remote, especially one that did not come in the box with your Wii console, may require doing a few additional steps before it can be synced. Additionally, a Wii Remote that was working, but is no longer being recognized (or has "lost its sync") may need to be re-synced. Please use the troubleshooting steps listed below, which our experience has shown can solve many Wii Remote issues.
http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/ts/wiiremote.jsp

Try these steps!

1. Turn the Wii console power OFF by pressing the POWER Button on the front of the console. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet for a few seconds. After a few seconds have elapsed, plug the cord back into the wall outlet.
   
   
2. Turn the power of the Wii console ON. When you see the Health and Safety screen, open the small flap on the front of the Wii console to find a red button labeled "SYNC." Press and hold the SYNC Button down for 15 seconds. This will clear all the syncs on the Wii, allowing you to get a clean start to begin the process described below.
   
   
3. After holding the SYNC Button on the Wii console down for at least 15 seconds, you can now "re-sync" your Wii Remotes:
   1. With the first Wii Remote you wish to sync, remove the battery cover on the back of the Wii Remote to find a small red button just below the batteries.
      
      
   2. Press and release the small red button just below the batteries on the Wii Remote; the blue lights on the front of the Wii Remote will blink.
      
      
   3. Quickly press and release the red SYNC button on the inside of the white flap on the front of the Wii console (picture below).
      
      
   4. When the Player LED blinking stops and stays lit, the syncing is complete. The LED that is illuminated indicates the player number (1 through 4).
      
      
   5. This sync procedure (steps "a" through "d" above) must be followed for each additional Wii Remote added to the system.