Assuming that 'circuit' is accurate, then it's a static discharge resistor, and should be a HIGH value - it's connecting the neutral (hopefully, but not crucially) to the chassis - to provide a discharge path for static build-up on the chassis.
If you're replacing a multi-hundreds of kilohm's resistor with a 50 ohm one it's not surprising you're having problems?.
You don't have you location filled in, which is often VERY important, such as in this case - as doing what you're doing should instantly blow the RCD (earth leakage trip) - so presumably you don't have them?.