1971 Johnson 125HP outboards Service Manual, Page 17Get this manual
2-10 TROUBLE CHECK CHART (CONT) TROUBLE 8STARTER MOTOR WILL NOT OPERATE POSSIBLE CAUSE ASTARTING CIRCUITSee Section Weak or shorted battery Loose or corroded battery connections Safety switch inoperative or out of adjustment Throttle advanced too far Defective key switch Jammed starter drive Damaged starter drive parts Worn brushes Broken brush springs Open circuit in solenoid Burned commutator Broken field terminal Shorted or open windingsarmature or field 20 AMPFuse blown BEXCESSIVE STARTER CURRENT DRAWSee Section Worn or dry armature shaft bearings Excessive friction in engine Brushes not seating Dirty or corroded commutator Loose pole pieces Bearing heads buckled
SUBMERGED MOTORS
If motor is lost overboard while running, it should always be disassembled before any attempt is made to start itOften internal parts are
damaged, and attempts at starting or running under these conditions can result in further damageA motor lost overboard in salt water should always be disassembled and cleaned before starting is attemptedSome materials used in modern engines are subject to very rapid corrosion in the presence of salt water and should be inspected to determine if replacements are requiredA motor lost overboard in fresh water can usually be safely started if recovered within twelve hours providing no sand or silt is presentRemove the spark plugs, the carburetor orifice screw, and drain all fuel lines and tankPull the starter until all water present has been expelledSquirt outboard lubricant into spark plug holesReassemble and startIf sand has entered the engine, no attempt at starting should be madeIf it is impossible to have the engine serviced immediately after it has