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For OBD1 systems you can do it with a paper clip, for OBD2 systems any shop and some vendors can pull codes.
The paper clip method posted before your post works on the '96 C4 as well, because its CCM is still OBD1 (and the CCM is what performs the code check and displays codes on the digital dash).
So what I think of when that light comes on is, "The light only comes on if a code is set, I should probably find out what code it is so I know where to start diagnosing my problem."
However, going through OP's posts, it appears he has an '88 convertible. Sadly this model has no CCM, so the paper clip method posted earlier in the thread does not work. Instead he'll need to use the "old-school" method of connecting pins A and B of the ALDL connector and counting the flashes.