Heading to the lake! OPTI Check Engine DYI options?

[IRBFishin]

I'm not sure if this is a coincidence, but the last time we trailered the boat I took someone's advice and put the throttle into gear to keep the prop from spinning. I had never done this before. When I went start the boat in the water the typical one beep alarm check went off and stayed off but the check engine light (the bottom of the four lights) stayed on. The motor ran just fine for the trip, peed a good stream and had full power at all RPMs. It still hasn't gone off and I'm waiting to get into a shop (timing is terrible with the time of year).

I know there's lots of threads on this topic, but was curious if anyone thinks the trailering with the throttle in gear is just a coincidence. Also, is it really that unsafe to take it out and use it until I can get it plugged into a DDT? Any thoughts for DIY efforts to fix it, such as checking the throttle cable or something? Again, it runs great and the alarm does not sound after the initial beep, but the light stays on constantly. It's a 1998 Mercury Optimax 150 DFI on an 18' Fisher (Nitro) fish and ski.

Thanks for any advice.
D

 

[tlh 178]

i've always trailered mine in neutral, putting it in gear will not make the light go on. try unplugging the battery for 10 mins a then see if the light goes out.

 

[IRBFishin]

No Title

So I found my problem myself and you can see in this pic that the two brown wires in front of the motor were disconnected, which I would guess happens to a lot of folks when taking the cowling on and off. I plugged them in and the check engine light no longer stays on. Can anyone tell me what these are for and if there is a specific way they should be plugged in. There are two wires and two female connectors to plug them in to and I don't want to take it out with them plugged in wrong and cause any issues.

Thanks,