I have a '96 A6, and I just failed inspection because the Check Engine light doesn't turn on briefly when the car is started. Presumably this is because the bulb is dead. They checked for any diagnostic messages, but there were none.

How does one go about getting access to change the bulb? Or is that something I have to bring it to the dealer for?

 

You need to remove or at least tip theinstrument cluster to get to the bulb. It is a simple jobbut the hardest part is finding the correct replacement bulb because they are not like regular instrument cluster bulbs. Two screws remove the cover strip along the bottom of the instrument panel and three screws hold the pannel in place. once they are out all you do is work the pannelout and tip it down to get to the bulbs. I used a small socket to twist the bulb about 1/4 TURN to get it out. I saw bulbs on the internet for about a$1 each which is a lot better than some places that want $3-4 or Audi that wants $6.