[Obsessive]

I have a 15 year old CSX continuation car. It has the same Optima 6v batteries (two fo them) that I installed when I bought it. The vehicle sat for 5 years with a bad camshaft until I recently rebuilt the motor and now have things running again. Before I lit the engine off, I charged the batteries and was surprised to find that they charged up! My excitiment was short lived, however, as I cannot get the batteries to give enough juice to consistently start the motor. My voltmeter reads 11.89 volts but they won't give the starter motor what it needs to get things moving.

Question: Could it be that the old batteries are charging up to the proper voltage but will not have enough Amps?

I'm inclined to just replace them but wanted to see if there is another alternative bofore spending another unexpected $400.

Thanks!

Mike