1998 130 hp JOHNSON, starter engages after hooking up new battery

[JeffWithano]

I had one of my on board chargers come unplugged and the starting battery was mostly exhausted so when I tried to turn over the engine and it turned only briefly before it was totally caput and the battery wouldn't take a charge. Bought a replacement and attaching the +for the motor, the starter spins without engaging the flywheel. Hooking both pos and neg it tries to start- no key in ignition, motor in gear, all wires removed from ignition switch. What connection might have been compromised with weak battery start up?

 

[boobie]

You could have fried your starter solenoid with the weak battery.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

I would suspect the solenoid was stuck closed. If that what it was you best replace it as it will do it again.

 

[Fed]

I'd be more worried about the secondary ground to the hull but that's a whole other can of worms that has probably been done to death already.
Popcorn anyone?