Originally Posted by Mxfrank

The resistor was added as a precaution in later VR's, it's not necessary to the function of the unit. It only comes into play if the VR goes completely open circuit. In that event, there would be no charging and no idiot light, because the light would have no path to ground. The resistor provides a parallel ground so that the light will come on in that rare circumstance. Don't waste your time, the old VR was bad and won't be made better by adding a resistor.