I have a '92 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI. Battery was going dead from just sitting there. Have a new battery that has been tested as fine. Also tested the altenator which also checked out to be fine. Found out that fuse 11 was pulling some current while the car was off.

This fuse controls all my dashboard electricals basically. Radio, heat, ac, clock etc. It also controls my fuel, oil, boost, temperature, compass screen, and the screen that shows my car. Any advice on the next step?

P.*. previous owner did install a car phone. I removed teh antenna, but it would still be wired.

Remove one thing at a time from the list of possibilities. Leave your dash cluster for last.

I'm guessing that the cell phone is an older model which was a full 3 watt permanent install and not just a cradle for a handheld model?

If so is the cell phone always on or does it "wake up" when you turn the ignition on?

If it is a fully installed model then locate the transceiver (brains) usually located under the rear seat or trunk area somewhere, there will be cables plugged into to it, an antenna cable, data cable that runs information to the handset and the power connection cable. Disconnect the power cable and retest for your current draw.

Most installed cell phones even while off (sleeping) can draw up to 150 ma of current, more if they are on or have been wired to be permanently on.

Interesting discovery. Car wouldn't start today. This was with the fuse 11 being pulled out the entire day. After giving it a few quick turns it finally started. I'm beginning to think its the starter because my headlights did not dim when I tried to start it and it wouldn't start. Anyone have anything to add to this?

Anyone have some info on how much work is invovled to change a starter in a 92?

Fuse 11 powering the radio is going to have a slight draw. Can you tell us how many amps were being drawn across it?

I doubt it'* number 11.

Do you have a car alarm installed? Anything else that isn't original?

Going with Billboost; if you have a remote car start some systems draw a substantial amount of power even on standby.

Its not electrical at all. Sometimes it will start right away sometimes it won't. Will just take a couple tries either way so its the starter. I tried doing a search but I didnt get much luck. Any manuals for replacing the starter on this model? Or about a n stimated cost? Thanks

It could be your VATS starting to act up...try cleaning your resistor pellet in your key and leave a little alcohol on they key and slide it back and forth in your ignition switch...let it dry for a few minutes and do your normal startup. Even if this isn't the problem, it'* good hygiene for your switch! Aside from that, instead of pulling the fuses from the fusebox, locate where all your power connections for your dino-cell and pull THOSE fuses (usually in-line with the wires) or just disconnect them altogether from their taps. Better yet...there should be a cannon plug for the power in the back of your cell unit, you can just unplug it. When I deinstalled mine, it actually was removable from the mounting chassis, and if yours can do that, that would be the easiest approach to pinpoint or eliminate the phone as your current draw.