No power to dash instruments and will not start

I have a 1998 bayliner 1950 capri with inboard motor. I was having carb. problems and my brother-in-law was violently pumping my single lever side mount control. After that, he turned the ignition off and when the key switch was turned back on there was no dash instruments working, it would not turn over, but everything else works. We went to boat place and they checked the fuse by the starter and said it was all right. They told us it was probably a safety switch in the control box. My question is how do I remove the control box and does this sound like it could be my problem. Please help!

Before you remove the control box and the lanyard switch, check the main engine harness plug at the engine. The one with the hose clamp around it.

Your B-I-L is a real nice fella. You can jump around the neutral safety switch using two quick connectors. Find the two wires in the control...later models used yellow w/black stripe wire.