Ohm Meter Oddity

I have an older anolog volt/ohm meter that I picked up at a garage sale. It's made by a company called Philmore. After its been sitting awhile, I can't get the ohm meter to work. After trial and error I discovered that if I switch it to measure voltage, either ac or dc and perform a voltage test with it, then I can go back to ohm scale and it will work. What gives?

Quite probably dirty or coroded switch contacts.

Get some contact cleaner, open the meter and spray the switch. Turn the switch all the way around a few times, spray some more, turn some more. Should restore it to working order.

Also check the battery, make sure it's good. Check battery contacts for corrosion.

Could need a new battery.