"Thrust hold is more of a misnomer used by many to explain a variety of modes depending on previous experience. Some use the term interchangably with what is called "Clamp" in other aircraft and some use the term to mean EPR management.
Thrust hold simply means that the Autothrottle will maintain the desired N1, moving the throttles as appropriate to do so."
What you are saying here disagrees with what you quoted in your manual, Avioniker. You said earlier that power was removed from the ASM's in Hold mode, therefore, one would assume they couldn't move the throttles (if that's what you mean by thrust levers?).
Our 737NG Hold mode is the same as our 767-200/-300 and 747-400 hold mode.... i.e. power is removed from the A/T servomotors (for safety) and it will not do anything at all to the throttles. Our thrust hold mode allows the pilot to move the thrust levers freely without obstruction from the servos, or have the thrust change, uncommanded by faults in the A/T system, until the aircraft reaches a certain altitude above the runway.
I'm still not clear on (your understanding of) what happens on your aircraft if you push the N1 button on the ground with the DFCS system powered (but A/P not engaged). Are you saying it will or won't go into HOLD mode at 80-something knots?
Thanks.
Rgds.
NSEU>