Cadillac Repair: 1995 Cadillac Concours, wisconsin mn, rust belt

Question
We have a 1995 Cadillac Concours that just won't start.  We just put in a new battery, it started, drove to the store amd it died.  No lights on dashboard or anything.  Needed it to be towed home and now it sits in the yard.  If I charge the battery for a few hours the car will start us, but than it dies out.  Could it be the alternator?  If so how hard is it to change

Answer
Hello,

Yes, it sounds like a charging problem that could be a bad alternator, however I suggest that you have it diagnosed at a service center. Not Cadillac, not Autozone!

If you have never changed an alternator, it can be difficult especially if you are in one of those horrible rust belt states Like Wisconsin, MN, IL,OH where even aluminum (alternator case) cause bolts to seize.

Probably the worst part of changing the alternator to have the patience putting the serpentine belt back on.

The reason I want you to have the car checked out is there are other things that can be the problem as well such as a gauge fuse. I just don't want you spending money you don't have to.