The resistance of the coil primary winding will be a factor in how much voltage the resistor drops, since the resistor and the primary winding are in series with each other. Half an ohm difference in the coil winding resistance will make a big difference in the voltage drop you can measure with the circuit conducting. Measure what the circuit is actually doing- - - -don't rely on some chat room "expert's" pontificating- - - - -including mine. If you don't know enough about DC resistive circuits to understand the readings you're getting, find someone who does.

Terry- - - -I'm 60 miles south of you down I-65- - - -drop in sometime and I'll show you exactly what I'm talking about with a multimeter.
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!