Will, there is quite a bit of variance in the different models and the wiring for each. Post if you have a vert or coupe (I cant keep your cars straight and don't wanna kick it).
In general, if you need to yank both 16 and 8 to diminish the draw, I like your hypothesis about the alarm brain being bad. One other test when you are bored is to disconnect the headlight switch connector and recheck the draw. If the draw is gone with the headlight connector unplugged but the alarm plugged in (and all fuses in place), the issue might be the lighting circuit (which transfers to the keyless since it flashes the lights).
Anyhow, on the brain if you want to try and jump the starter circuit: I'm not sure exactly which set-up you have (with a remote, vert or not, etc) but this might be enough........
On the alarm, pin 12 should be white/pink. If you turn the key to crank, this should show 12 volts. Then Pin 24 should be red/lt blue and should be the continuation of the crank wire. You could remove the starter relay in your underhood fusebox and do a continuity test on this wire to be sure. It should see 12 volts while cranking if the brain is plugged in (and nothing I would surmise if the brain is unplugged. Hence no cranking)
If this is so, you should be able to jump those pins and have the car crank. Then leave the rest of the brain disconnected and see (in a safe environment) if the car runs ok and without further issue. I dont have a factory alarm so I can't do any testing on my end of things for you.
and the draw dropped a little.......but not enough to be the issue....either 1 or 2 amps..........HAD to scratch my tilt arm.....that thing was welded on....
