Scott M

Ok, I need some help. My sister who lives in another state and is on a limited income is having some car issues. She asked me for help, but I can't figure it out.

A week ago she was driving about 50MPH and she heard a loud boom. The car lunged forward and the gages went crazy and the airbag light came on. The car died and she coasted to the side of the road. The car restarted immediately. This is now happening on and off for a week. Everything except the boom. The car will always start back up.

She had alt/battery tested which are fine. Took it to mechanic who charged her $70 but it didn't do it for him so he had no answers. I'm not an expert with airbags and don't know if one of the sensors could cause this. The loud boom and lunge forward makes me think of maybe transmission, but not sure. Or maybe something broke which cut into a wire which grounds out occasionally. The only problem is I can't think of what would break(that caused the boom) and be next to a wire.

Any suggestions? It's close to Christmas and she has 4 kids to think about and can't afford to keep taking it to mechanics who charge her for not finding the problem.