schematics won't help- the wires were pulled from the plug itself- so I need a picture of a plug with wires in it, in original form, to use as a pattern to check this one- and put it back to stock config

yes, most likely

a. the neutral safety switch was out of adjustment, or defective

or

b. the starter switch had to be adjusted- some slide up/down on the column to adjust those as well

and the DUMB *** started pulling wires from the plug, and crimping the locks tabs flat

pics to follow today- I'm going out there NOW to take pictures