Volkswagen Repair: dashboard lights, phillips screws, dashboard lights

Question
Have a 1994 Golf GL (diesel).  The dashboard lights (first one, then the other) were burnt out.  Had my mechanic replace them 6 weeks ago ($6 parts, $45 labour).  Now one of them (speedometer side) is burnt out again...  

No way I want to spend those dollars again for what is no more than a 20 minute job (I know, cuz I waited there while he did it.)  Trouble is, the "retail" manuals don't tell you have to remove the inner cover on the instrument panel and I don't have access to a "shop" manual (and my mechanic wasn't forthcoming about his "secret").

Any suggestions on how to locate the hidden clips, screws, or whatever holds the cover in place, so I can get at the bulbs?  Also, given that the new lightbulb burnt out in 6 wks, should I be worried about larger problems lurking?

Thx.

Answer
You are gonna have to go into greater detail for me as I don't got that car.  Mine, the "dash" is basically held in place by phillips screws around the ashtray and the dreaded headlight switch.  I say  dreaded cause I see alot of the knobs pulled off but not the headlight switch shaft....I gotta describe this to you...this light switch is a pull out to turn on Knob.  If you have that type then the description I am about to give will be important.
With your left hand reach up behind the dash to the same level as the head light button.  It won't be easy but once you are in the area you will feel a box like thing...reach your fingers to the underside of the box...you will find a small button which is spring loaded.  Push hard on that button and at the same time try to pull out the headlight knob.   That button has a choke hold on the shaft.  You may have to push it in and repull the knob a few times and do the same with that button with your finger.   Once it comes out you will be able to take of the dash front plate and see all the screws that hold down stuff(speedo and such).
      Burning out prematurely is more of an indication that there is a poor ground under the dash.  All those wires will be exposed as well, so repull them and then reattach.(brown is ground).

Otherwise if the dash is more complex than that and the switch is different than a pull-push unit, I can''t help.  A web site dedicated with owners to check out is www.vwvortex.com  .They don't give me anything for telling you that, its just helpful thats all.