If my check engine light is on but my car is driving fine now should I still take it to the dealership and pay the $95 diagnostic fee?

I drive a 2014 Ford Focus. My check engine light came on and I brought it to a mechanic near me he read the code for free. The code was a P0902. Which is a "Clutch Actuator Circuit Low."

The day the light came on my car was definitely acting up. If I was at a stop light and tried to go it had a really hard time accelerating. Like I had to push the peddle to the floor. The car was having a hard to switching gears pretty much. The problem randomly stopped but the check engine light is still on.

Now Ford does have a recall on the Transmision Control Module for my car and they will 100 percent pay for the fix. But how am I to be sure if it's the transmission control module. My engine has always been horrible switching gears. I'm on an unpaid maternity leave I can't afford that extra 95 dollars if it isn't necessary.

No, fin another way

Take it to a good shop that is not the dealership.

If your vehicle is still under the power train warranty (5 years or 60,000 miles) you'd be wise to take it to the dealership before the warranty expires (it has to be close). You should do so especially because of the recall notice which also has a limited compliance time or they won't fix it for free. If you can barely afford a $95 diagnostic, you certainly won't be able to afford a recall repair that you have to pay for because you failed to take the car in during the free repair period.

Even if the condition that first caused the P0902 code was temporary, the light will stay on, and the computer will hold the diagnostic data, for at least a few days. That's normal.

I'd say to get that recall done. There's a decent chance it will take care of the P0902. Don't ask for any further work: they will probably plug in the diagnostic computer anyway, as part of the recall.

Clear the codes and see if it comes back.
Also, get the recall performed as soon as possible.

HOW TO RESET ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ON FORD FOCUS
To turn off the Engine Service Light on Ford Focus, conform to the following instructions:

Turn off the ignition
Close all doors.
Turn the ignition key to position II.
Simultaneously press the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal and hold for a minimum of 20 seconds.
The oil change reminder indicator will turn off. This confirms that the reset procedure has been correctly completed.

Get your car to the dealer for the recall and HOPE it fixes your vehicle. The dealer will clear the codes for you.

If your car has a clutch, your problem is NOT the Transmission Control Module. That's only found in automatic transmissions. If the mechanic read the code for free, why don't you go back to him and find out what it would cost to have him fix the problem?

Just go to an auto parts store and have the codes read. They do that as a free service. Why pay the dealer?

Here lies the problem and they circled it (its a ford)