How do I fix the mode dial?

Try this

Tone dialing allows your telephone to communicate with devices and services that respond to tone signals, such as answering machines, fax, or automatic switchboards. Want to learn how to switch from pulse to tone dialing on the Nortel phone? Follow these simple steps.

While on an active line, or after selecting the line, press # and the phone will switch from pulse to tone dialing. After you hang up the phone, your phone will return to pulse dialing. You may repeat these steps as needed.

If you are sure you are in automatic mode, the green camera logo on the top dial, your pictures have to be correct.
The exposure compensation should not be available in automatic, so that can't be the reason. (if you are in automatic)
The only thing you could look for, is the exposure metering. There you can chose 3 modes, and I do advise to chose Multi-pattern (should be default) because then not only the centre is measured.
If the pictures stay too dark, while in automatic and Multi-pattern, i think your camera is defect. It has nothing to do with the battery. If the battery voltage drops beneath a certain point the camera will stop completely and not work half.

This is a belt drive turntable so it could be the belt slipping about. Before you remove the belt note where it fits.

Your phone is somehow set to pulse dialling and you need to change it to tone. Instructions are given below.

Of course if you can't select menu options this will not work so please explain why the menu options are not available - what happens when you select the menu softkey?

Dial mode
The dial mode is preset to tone. If you do not have touch tone service, you need to change the setting to pulse.
To change the setting:
Press the MENU softkey when the handset is not in use.
Press or to select SETTINGS, then press the SELECT softkey.
Press or to select Dial mode, then press the SELECT softkey.
Press or to choose Tone or Pulse. Press the SET softkey to save, or press the BACK softkey to exit to the previous menu.

• delete the dial up connection on the internet option
• click tools-internet options on the internet explorer - click connections tab, delete all dial up on the box, and select never dial a connection
  

Sounds to me like the internal contacts aren't working correctly. Let your local camera store take a look. Hope it's under warranty. 

Looks like you need to take this to a camera store and have them check it over. I don't know of any setting that would cause what you describe.

Begin with headset turned off. 1. Press and hold down the call control button

for 8 seconds until the headset status indicator begins to flash blue then red. The headset is now in pairing mode for the next 120 seconds.
2. While the headset is flashing, use the phone menu to search for Bluetooth devices and select "220Plantronics."
3. When prompted for a passkey, enter 0000. Headset will flash blue when paired successfully.

Press menu and use the arrow down to goto Global setup and press select. Use the down arrow and goto Dial Mode and press select. Use the down arrow to select your dial mode and press select

Check your exit hose spigot, it may be clogged. This is if your filter is all clean. There should be air for passage in the standpipe behind. Your hose should not fit airtight into the standpipe and neither too deep into it. Snaking out your standpipe would be good too.

And pl rate me if helped.................