I don't think I ever saw a bare resistor not have some char.
But its exact operating controls in this situation? That is a mystery to me.
All mine are using elements direct from the track because that's what I had on hand already. If it was regulated at the element, it isn't now.
Something I didn't see mentioned and corresponds with Drawbars last post.
Smoke regulator? I assume you mean voltage, or current regulation for the fan, or the element, and not control of these by another board. (Johns swap should answer that control leg question).
Have you checked voltage at the motor plug with load and without?
The element?
While regulators normally just quit outright, a low or high can happen too.
You may want to see that its delivery is ok.
The motor may be filled, and operating bad sure, but it may not be getting the full power it needs.
Sitting upside down on a tissue for a long period might reveal more oil that the air cant draw out. And if it was 100% full, multiple positions.
