97 Montero -hold Light On

I don't have a manual, so I have no idea what this HOLD light means.

Yesterday, I had to unscrew several parts of the dash , ashtray and glove box to get to my stereo's serial number so the dealership could give me the anti-theft code. I am now wondering if I knocked something loose?? :disappoin

This is verbatim from the user manual:
A/T mode changeover switch -
According to the road conditions, set the switch at the "Normal" or "Hold mode" for normal driving or for shift stage hold driving.
Each time you press the switch, the "NORMAL" AND "HOLD" will switch alternatingly. The "HOLD" indicator in the instrument panel comes on or off.

(this is what you see, right?)

Normally, drive your vehicle in the "NORMAL" mode where the switch is not pressed. (The "HOLD" indicator goes out)

NORMAL
for normal driving

HOLD
select the "HOLD" mode when starting your vehicle on a road surface slippery from snow or the like, and the vehicle will start smoothly. If you start your vehicle with the selector lever in other than the "L" position, the vehicle starts in second gear.

Hope this helps

there is a button on the dash right under the rear defrost button that says a/t on it... thats the button that engages "hold" which basically puts you in 2nd gear from a start

Ingenious. This is a usless switch. Sounds like you can accomplish the same thing by putting the transmission into second gear. Just ignore the light. Sounds like it's not worth the time or money to fix.