Today as I was rushing to the hospital to be with my dying grandmother (of course it happens then, right?) the CEL and Blinking Arrow popped up on the dash. This happened right as I pulled out of my parking space. I turned the car off, hoping it would automagically fix itself but I was stuck in 'limp home mode'.

As I understand it, this is a problem with the transmission. Is there any way to gauge what might be wrong with the car without taking it to a mechanic?

2002 S40 1.4T

Its been really great so far, this is the first real issue i've had with it.

 

It could be something simple but you need to have the codes pulled.

 

This turned out to be the gear shift position sensor. $300 and its all fixed up. The only problem I have now is that the radio codes I was given when I bought the car don't work. So now I have to pull out the radio and get the serial number.

Do I need fancy tools to pop out this radio or will normal radio tools work?

 

There is little buttons on the side that you press in and they pop out some. Then pull them out more and slide the radio out.