Check Engine Electronics. Help!!!
I made what has turned out to be a bad purchase decision (a 1998 E320 with about 140,000 miles that seemed to be in very good shape). I didn't realize how expensive these cars are to maintain, especially for someone who doesn't know anything about cars (did not own a car for many years when I lived in Chicago).
I've only had the car for two months. Two weeks ago I took it in to get an oil change and checkup. They recommended a brake system flush and replacing the front and rear flex discs, both of which I did. They said the rear lower outer control arm bushings had broken boots which would need to be replaced in the future but not urgent. They said the car was otherwise in great shape, which was good because I now have about $700 in the car since I bought it. Since then I've only put about 200 easy miles on it and it seemed to be working fine until yesterday.
Last night I was going up a hill and the transmission seemed to slip and the "check engine electronics" light came on. I was shocked by this since it seemed to be doing well and had gotten a clean bill of health so recently.
Is there any place I can go that will read the computer codes for a relatively cheap price? I'm outside Portland, Oregon. My first thought was to go back to the mechanic that did the work but I wouldn't mind getting a second opinion.
Also, if the transmission is shot, does the car have any value at all as a salvage? I can already see this is going to be too expensive for me and am just trying to figure out the best way out of this situation. Many thanks for any advice.
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