mariner 40 hp help needed

[phatdaddy]

any merc/mariner guru's, got a 98 40 mariner with ignition problems. 4 cyl/ 2 carbs. ran last year, went to start, no fire. first thing i thought of was the safety switch on the control box. i disconnected the black w/ yellow tracer on the switch box on the motor.

1- does this remove the switch from the loop
2- any other things i can check before i start throwing parts at it

thanks