2002 Taurus strange electrical proble.

The car was running, never had a problem 44k miles. Turned it of, then went to restart and no cranking and some of the cabin electric went dead, -power windows, lights, headlights wouldn't work. -just makes a clicking sound near the fuse box near brake pedal. Battery seems to have problem, shows voltage but when placed on charger, receives 0 amps. When I removed battery and jumpered in my mondo boat battery, the electrical system started to return to normal, but after trying a crank, I got the clicking noise back and some of the elctric stuff returned.

I checked fuses including the power distribution box and under the panel near brake pedal.

Please help, I am a good mechanic and electrical but don't have alot of time or money. I also have no experience with this car since this is the first problem.

I have heard of self-protection devices that Ford doesn't publish, sometime related to anti-theft (the light is blinking).
Also of Transmission Range Swith/Neutral Safety Switch problems, but does quite match the failure mode.

The car has about 1/2 amp current draw with all systems turned off.

I had a similar problem w/my '02 SES. Unsuccessfully tried to jump with adjoining vehicle and w/battery pack. Took the battery out and down to Wal Mart. They tested on their tester and said "it's shot". Paid out the $39.95 for a new one and no more problems. I still don't understand why I couldn't jump start it but just have to remember that it didn't work and likely won't in the future.

The battery had an internal open condition discovered by trying to charge it removed from the system -0 amps on charger.

Went to buy another and the auto parts guy worked for a Ford dealer. He said that under certain conditions, a self-protection scheme kicks in that would explain the strange symptoms.

Rplaced the battery, no more problems!

Thanks for the confirmation willyum!