check engine light came on/i hear a pinging noise from tranny

Thanks you, thats what i was thinking. Im sort of debating whether or not to take it to a honda place, or to buy my own scanner device. I can get one for $150, and i can get help hooking it up and checkin...or go to honda and have em do it, but how much u think they'll charge me just to hook the scanner up and see whats wrong? thanks again