1987 300TD Wagon - Hill Holding / Hill Starting.....
 

On my 1990 Gas 300TE wagon it has a hill hold feature. I can take my foot off the brake and the car will stay perfectly still when I am on a hill.

I noticed that I do not have this on the 1987.

What causes that feature?
Is it in the ABS system?
Or is it in the Transmission?

My initial guess is that it was a feature of the ABS sensors knowing that the car was in Drive and that it was rolling backward - thus engaging the brakes to hold it in place. But, that is a guess.

Of course my next question is pretty obvious - has anyone been able to add this feature?

I am incredulous. Sure its not your torque converter?

Yea it could be there I guess. I am remiss for not having thought about it there.

Also I would consider the Torque converter to be a part of the "Transmission" since it would most likely be paired with a specific transmission - I would guess.

It does seem like more and more of an interesting idea.

Whats the mileage on each torque converter? 87 300d is a 2.65 rear diff where the 300TE is 3.27. That too is a significant difference.

Just a healthy torque converter. Some cars rollback, some don't

So the 1990 car seems to have a small amount of roll back but immediately stops.

I have tested this on incredibly steep hills where I live and it never fails to lock in place. It is amazing........
It really does seem like a designed feature.

The gas car has about 237,000 miles. I bought it in April last year with 224,000 miles.

Currently it has a small leak in the head gasket and is tearing through coolant. I am pretty convinced it is a leak on the exhaust side, but I will replace the gasket in the spring. I will probably sell the car then as well since I have my 300TD up and running and it is a much better car.