Bulletin No. SB-949
Electrical
April 5, 1963
SUBJECT: PREVENTION OF STARTER MOTOR FAILURES.
Starter motor failures on pre-1963 engines, due to overheating, have been reported at
infrequent intervals. This overheating may be caused by either an abnormally high
current flow thru the starter motor for a short period of time, or by prolonged starter
motor use at normal current draw. This has not been a problem with 1963 model engines.
The first situation is, of course, caused by some major malfunction. It is readily
recognized even by the layman, due to the reduced cranking speed of the starter motor.
The second situation is created by minor misadjustments of the engine, or improper
starting procedures. This condition can be eliminated, or at least alleviated, by
proper maintenance and proper customer instruction on your part.
Here are a few items an owner should check in his prestarting procedure. These apply
to any electric starting engine model.
1. Check fuel supply.
2. Check fuel line connections at engine and at fuel tank.
3. Check position of automatic choke control lever, if engine is so equipped.
(NOTE: It may be necessary to use the manual position wherever greater
choking effect is required.) This position provides greater spring
loading on butterfly valves.
4. Prime carburetor bowl - by depressing primer button several times on
pressurized Mile Master Fuel Tank, or by squeezing primer bulb in fuel
line of non-pressurized Mile Master Fuel Tank several times. This is
very important when an engine has not been run for a day or more.
5. Remote Controls properly set - throttle - gear shift.
6. Engage starter.
If engine does not start or fire within 10-20 seconds, cease starting procedure and
check engine again. If several 10-20 second starting attempts are made with no
results, the engine should be checked according to information in owner manual.
Repeated starter operation will cause no ill effects to starter as long as a
reasonable cooling period is allowed between starting attempts; however, when start-
ing is difficult and extremely long cranking periods are necessary, some form of
service difficulty, no matter what model engine, may be involved.
Sincerely,
JOHNSON MOTORS
Robert Compton
Service Department
RC:eb
NOTE: Post on all indexes 18 thru 75 h.p.