Thank you for the info @groovydude7. I'm using VTL MB 185. I've gotten it checked out by my technician since my post and it turned out to be failed coils in the relay and the transformer that powers it.
Since the relay is responsible for shorting the resistor that's in series for the duration of the surge, failure of the relay meant the resistor was left in series to the mains indefinitely. This was causing the resistor to heat up.
