Thanks John and CrewCab for your comments, they all help.
Well it wasn't the neon lamp. As John, Crew Cab and Bernd pointed out that is in parallel and only indicates power on or off when the oil is up to temperature. As it turns out, it is OK but dosen't have any function with the pot heating up other than to tell you the power is on.
I did find one other piece hidden inside a woven insulating sleeve that is in series. I am not sure what it is called but my guess is a thermosistor (sp). It is about 4mm dia x 10mm long and is a shiny metal case. On one end of this is a blue cone shaped nose. The wire leads running into the ends are both about 1mm dia. The writing on this baby is as follows.
PAT K
MICROTEMP
4372 A
AJBSU 192C
When I put the Ohm meter across the leads with it out of the circuit there is no reading one way and just the smallest needle deflection when reversed. I believe that this is where the problem lies. I had a coffee percolator many years ago that had the same problem and worked like new when I replaced the thermosistor.
While trying to get this thermosistor out of the circuit I tried to remove a nut that was on a steel stud that was spot welded to the aluminum pot. Yes Aluminum to Steel. I checked it with a magnet. Anyway, the stud broke off and that is where the switch was mounted. Since part of the switch is a bi-metal contact it has to be mounted that close to the aluminum pot to work properly.
So at the end of the day I have to table littered with pots and pieces and tools and don't have a pot to put chips in. I guess I'll just have to break down and buy one of the new ones.
I tried last night to take a picture of the small part that I have just been talking about and no luck whatsoever. I finally had to quit that before I put the camera into orbit. I'm going to have to find my camera manuals and figure that out. Here I am telling all the new members that we need pictures and I can't even produce one myself.
Bernd
I'm hoping that eating deep fried foods won't do me in. So far heart and arteries all seem to check out OK. Now the lungs, thats another story. I have COPD and my best friend and allways close companion is 6mm dia air line hooked to an oxygen tank or concentrator 24/7.
Thanks for all the help guys, it is appreciated.

Cheers

Don