On Friday, February 10, 2017 at 8:36:53 PM UTC-5, micky wrote:
In sci.electronics.repair, on Thu, 9 Feb 2017 21:04:57 -0800 (PST), Phil
Allison wrote:

Hmmm.

Okay, my final paragraph today: I figured that out, but only by
fildding with it. How many of you figured it out from a distance?
(It's another serious problem.)

If so, it sounds like manufacturing error.

It may have worked well at one time. Actually my friend died and this
was among his things. So eEven though I have other, better, and similar
meters, I'm reluctant to throw it out.

That's understandable. Second-hand stuff doesn't always tell you its history. Sometimes you need meters to be accurate. Sometimes not, I guess.