<VV> Resistor Wire Question

[Bill H.]

                                          B"H

Hi all.  I am sure this question has been asked over and over, but I can't seem to find the answer.

The question surrounds the "resistor wire" that connects to the coil in Late models.  There is NO mention of this wire that I can find anywhere in the 1965 Shop manual.  Nor is it shown in any of the wiring diagrams I've been able to locate (including the one in the shop manual).

In my 66 Monza, this wire is taped (hidden) into the harness and isn't connected to the coil (or anything else at the remote end).  The coil simply has the yellow wire (12V?) from the starter connected to the plus side of the coil.

I do know that the resistor wire keeps the coil from getting too much voltage, but how does the car keep running with no resistor wire?  I haven't touched anything in the engine bay, this is the way the car was when I got it.

I had the resistor wire connected to my 69's coil, but I forgot how that was wired.  

I thought the 12V yellow wire provided full 12V from the starter when the engine was started, then that wire should provide no voltage, and the resistor wire "takes over?"

Can anyone clear up the confusion?  Am I ruining my coil (if it isn't already ruined) by not having a resistor wire hooked up to it?

I plan to check voltage to the coil with the engine running, but I'm willing to bet that during normal operation I'm putting a full 12V to the coil.

Why isn't the resistor wire included in the factory wiring diagram?

Thanks for your help guys...Bill Hershkowitz  66 Monza Sport Sedan 110 PG A/C