I just picked up a Rolleiflex 2.8E. The black meter needle moves just fine (I think) --the red one is sluggish and only goes to the middle of the scale. Is there anyway to fix it or is it not worth the time. I thought some contact cleaner might help but I can't figure out how to get it in there. I use a handheld meter most of the time but wouldn't mind it working.
There might be nothing wrong but a sticky knob. The red needle does not respond to light, only the black one does. I couldn't get the red needle on my 2.8E to do what you describe by using different settings of the ASA, shutter and aperature, though those settings might be conceivably to blame. In any case, this should be a very simple lubrication issue or a mechanical fix, and has nothing to do with the meter itself.