Mercury optimax 150 hp 2013

by John
(Somerdale, New Jersey )

I winterize the engine, lower unit wasn’t attached to the engine. The shifter was in forward gear, keys weren’t in the boat when this happen. I turned on the battery’s to check the bilge pumps I walked away for 6 minutes and I heard like the engine was running. I turned off the battery’s and the starter was smoking? Help what’ happen? I touched the starter and it was real hot. There was a burning smoke coming out of the cowing. Help!