multimeter range selector don't work

[ashcat_lt]

I've got access to 2 different ancient multimeters.  Both seem to have the same problem.  When in Resistance mode, the range selector doesn't seem to make any difference in my measurements.  I'm pretty sure I'm using the thing correctly, and have tried swapping in new batteries, but no change.  Whether it's set to x1 or x1000 the needle points to the same position.  Am I just doing something completely stupid???