Nikon D40, issues or just my stupidity?

[Dark Lotus]

Hello everyone! First post here!

I just got a brand new Nikon D40. Whenever I try to use the M, A, or S modes it doesn't seem to work right. First, the electronic analog exposure display is always all of the way to the right. I don't know if this is me doing something wrong, or if its the camera. Second, when in the manual mode, aperture priority, or shutter priority mode the camera doesnt function as it should. When I change the shutter speed in S mode, the aperture stays the same. When I change the aperture in A mode the shutter stays the same. The only way I can get the electronic analog exposure display to go to zero is with an f-stop of 3.5 and a shutter speed of 1/2. I really need some help.

[K1W1]

What lens do you have?

[Dark Lotus]

the kit lens

[K1W1]

When I change the shutter speed in S mode, the aperture stays the same. When I change the aperture in A mode the shutter stays the same.

First, I've never seen a d40 and haven't had an in depth read of any of the reviews on the Internet but I assume they work the same way as other Nikon's.
What I understand you to be saying is that when you select "A" (for Aperture) priority on the dial and you then change the aperture by rotating the thumb wheel (left for open (lower number), right for closed (higher number)) the shutter speed does not alter regardless of what aperture you select. I am assuming that the aperture indicator is changing as you rotate the thumb wheel.
There are a lot of assumptions here but it sounds like the same thing happens when you select "S".
If that's the case it sounds to me like the camera or lens is faulty unless the D40 operates entirely differently to other Nikon family cameras.