As I wade through the electrical problems, a by nonsensical bypass began to make a little sense. The engine bay controls.

were a little rough......actually completely non functioning except for the engine run/off switch which was intermittent.

put 4 new switches in..............

If only everything could be this easy. Actually the 2nd pic does not do the sitution justice. The entire inside of the switch area was filled with crud, there must be a vortex up there, as I see no way for that much fine silt/mud to accumulate otherwise.