I thought this modest writeup would give some easy DIY guide to someone who needs to replace a burnt light bulb that illuminates the gears display by the shift ****.
Although I came across various sources of related writeups, I haven't found one that dealt with this particular issue and year model. So I decided to tackle the job and document with photos for other fellow Audi owners (with same model) to use as a reference. This is an extremely easy task. If you can unfasten your seatbelt, then you should be able to change your burnt light bulb without any difficulty.
The following replacement was performed on a 1995 A6, 2.8L, V6.




1) Step one is to remove the wood trim piece around the gear selector. A flathead screwdriver does the job very well. Insert the head on either side, toward the front of the cover - the end facing the seats. The plate has cut out areas on both sides. Pry up gently, but be careful not to scratch the wood finish. Mine looks scratched anyway from the previous owner, but it came out without a hitch.




2) You should be able to easily pop up the cover plate (it is held in place by 2 holding rubber tabs that snap in two retaining plastic clips placed on the bottom of the "bay" area.)


3) On the "back" end (toward the dashboard), the plate rests in two slots (lined with rubber retaining inserts) via two plastic tabs. So pry gently the cover toward you and up, as you'd try to flip it over the shift ****. The plate should come out easily now.


4) Under the cover plate there's a "free floating" rubber lining piece that you just pull out.


5) The light unit rests on the left area (toward the driver), adjacent to the gears display. The bulb harness comes easily out, as you don't have any retaining clips to pop.


6) The bulb comes out after some firm wiggling. Be firm but gentle with your grip, as the bulb may break while still in the socket


7) Replace the bulb with a new one and slide back the harness.
The replacement bulb is a 2721 - Instrument/Courtesy, which you can find readily available at a parts store (AutoZone; OReillys, etc). I haven't found a red one to match the dashboard lights (or even a blue one to match the Kenwood's lights), but clear bulb it's ok too.


8) Reinstall everything back in reverse order.
Enjoy (I hope).

Chefro

 

While you are in there make sure coins and other stuff hasn't slipped in the shift cavity because if there are enough they will stop you from putting the shifter in park and you'll not be able to remove the key.

 

Thanks for the tip, NH.
As a matter of fact I didn't install everything back yet, as I'm trying to figure out the sunroof. The tip comes in handy and I'll surely check the cavity.

 

I found $ .78 and two NH tokens when I couldn't get an 85 Audi A6 in park.