So I haven't been replying because the discussion was ongoing and it was mostly just greek to me.
From what I understand so far, despite there being a possible different reason, the end result is the same, put the resistor there and it should help/be the one under heavy load?
As for the tests, as much as I'd like to help, I'm sorry but with my utter incompetency with anything electrical I don't want to go poking a bear 