Been having an issue with the starter on my PD.
Sometimes when I go to crank the motor I get a clicking noise almost like low battery power. I turn the key a few times then it does the same thing then cranks right up.

Then the other morning I ran about 5 miles down the river and turned off the motor in a pond. I turned the key a few minutes later and nothing. When I turnedt he key over to "run" I heard small click at the motor but when I turned key to "crank" nothing. And no the PTO was not engaged.

Turned the key several times and then it fired right up.

Trying to determine if it is the switch or the selinoid.

Thanks in advance.

Battrery cables tight?

Tiller or console?

My guess is you need a new starter.

Probably got some moisture in it at some point.

You can chase a lot of other things-battery, cables, connections, but my guess is that is where you will land in the end.

Check the simple things first and then get you a new starter.

I had the same problem with 2 diffrent starters. The problem is the starter is bolted to the engine in a vertical position. This allows water from rain and car washes to enter the starter housing from the nose cone and accumulate in the rear cover of the starter. The drain hole or vent is about 1/2" up on the side of the main case of the starter designed for the starter to be bolted in the horizontal position where it would drain. Remove the starter from the engine and remove both of the long bolts holding the starter together. Now lightly tap on the rear cover and work it off of the end of the armature. The cover will be full of corrosion and dust from the brushes. Clean out all the shiat with some cleaner and compressed air. Then take a 1/4" drill bit and drill you 2 holes in the bottom cover to allow the water to drain. Put some grease in the little needle bearing in the rear cover and put it back together. The needle bearing will not be any good due to the water standing in it , but don't worry about it just put the grease in it. I have done this to two starters and keep one in the boat for a spare. I wash mine at the car wash every weekend and the water will drain out the new holes you drill in the rear cover of the starter.I also spray WD-40 or Corrosion X in the side of the starter to keep it from corroding.

I had to rebuild one in the duck blind one morning because of this. DO NOT BUY A NEW STARTER!!!
If you are not comfy with working on your own the take it to a repair shop and tell the to clean it up and drill the holes for you. They will charge you like $25 to $30 to do this.