Lucas RD 953066... what the heck is it for?

[HeadDamage]

I've had an ignition problem with my 1987 NAS Range Rover Classic. At this point I have replaced the distributor, ignition amp, cap, rotor, wires, condenser, and coil. The truck seems to be running well now but there is one odd thing that is bugging me. When I took it all apart there was a little black thing with male spade connectors on each end of it that was between the positive wire to the ignition coil and the positive terminal on the coil. It says "Lucas RD 953066" on it. It measures about 6.8k ohms resistance. If I put it back in place the truck with not run, no spark. If I leave it out and just hook the positive wire strait to the positive terminal on the coil the truck runs fine.

What the heck is "Lucas RD 953066" for and is there now a problem that I've left it out? I should also add that I had to change from a two terminal ignition amp to a three terminal ignition amp.

Thanks for any help.

[rezdiver]

that should be something like a coil or ignition supressor (resistor, should be 6.8 ohms on the rangie),I had something similar on my iltis.
i think it prevents voltage spikes from the ignition to the coil or vise versa..
i believe it is a good idea to keep it, and trace the problem back from there, the new ignition wiring difference may be the issue.

[HeadDamage]

That's what I figured but why will the truck now run without it but not with it? The only thing I can think of is that it has to do with changing to the newer ignition module.

[rezdiver]

see if you can find the value differences between the different ignition amps. and how the third terminal in the new amp is used? or if it has an internal supressor and by adding the resistor you are increasing resistance too much reducing signal for spark.