2008 Escape, we were running several errands today and all was fine. Today was the 1st time this year for running the A/C, everything worked fine. Parked in the garage, went to move the car and nothing, and I mean nothing happens, there is a clicking/buzzing sound inside the dashboard, which continues after the key is off and removed, when attempting to start, all I get is the child seat and the passenger airbag warning lights flashing rapidly. If I disconnect the battery, let the electrical systems sit for a few mins. and reconnect, the clicking is stopped, attempt to start, the chime/warnings come on till the key is turned, then all the instrument lamps will flash on a second then back to the clicking. This in not a starter/solenoid issue, I am very familiar with those. It sounds like a relay clicking noise. The security lamp will flash as normal until I attempt to start the car, then rapid flashing that eventually stops. I am kinda lost. Iknow that It will have to go to a shop, but how do I get it out of the garage since nothing works, no door locks, rear door and window won't open, power windows won't work, can't shift out of park. Have tried everything that I could find, or guess at, so any help or ideas would be appreciated. Just getting it to shift to neutral will save me a possible tranny repair. Thanks,

 

No, it isn't a PATS issue. if it were, the symptom would be limited to a fast-flashing THEFT light and a failure to crank/start.

You may have some type of power problem. Check the battery first and see if it's holding its charge under a load. If it is, you've probably got a fault in the battery cabling or in the power distribution and control subsystem.

Any decent tow truck driver will be able to get the vehicle out of the garage and onto a flatbed for a trip to the repair shop.

 

^^^ Appears you were right, not PATS. It would seam that the problem is a sudden and total failure of the battery. Replaced it today after checking electrical systems with an alternate power source(charger) and finding that everything came back to life. I have in over 40 years of driving, never seen, a battery fail like this, all at once. Thanks to the viewers for looking, and Thank You for your reply. Ghost,

 

The battery shorted out. Sulfates stick to the lead plates, fall off over time, pile up at the bottom till it shorts out. I've had that happen twice. One time I actual felt a thump but thought that I had let the clutch out too fast.