My Ford five hundred won...t turn over (crank)...the lights are on and when I turn the key I hear a ticking sound but it wont crank...what problem might I have

All indicates to a flat battery. If the lights work or the horn blows, that is no indication that the battery is still good. You need to use a hydrometer to test the electrolyte SG to check if the battery is at full charge.

Possible that the solenoid is faulty if the sound is a click without any cranking. If not this can also be the starter motor not able to turn but trying to move. It can be poor brushes, poor contacts or even if the starter is jammed at the pinion and flywheel.
Try to engage the car in 2nd gear and push to disengage or try to push and start to confirm if this is a low battery problem.

I Have A 2OO5 Ford Fivehundred , 4 Door Sedan With Leather Interior And A Green Exterior . My Check Engine Light Came On As I Was Driving A Few Moments Later A Slowing Down . I Stopped And Then It Turned Off . I Went And Opened The Hood And A Little More Smoke Came Out Then It Stopped . I Tried Turning The Key And It. Little Bit Of Smoke Started To Come From Under The Hood . Then All The Lights On The Dashboard Came On , And The Light Also Came On In The Car And I Felt It. Sounded As If The Battery Was Dead . A Few Days Later I Tried To Turn It On And Nothing Happened ..