Sounds like your looking at the traction control switch or if that's the indicator light, someone has pressed the button to turn off automatic traction control. Unfortunately I don't know where that particular button is.
Not sure where it is on a '97 but on an '04 it is located on the steering column top right. Chances are on a '97 it is somewhere on the dash panel. I'm surprised it doesn't reset to off when you shut off and then restart the car.
The traction control system is turned off.
In a 1997 Ford Explorer : Control Trac is Fords name for the 4x4 system , with the 2 speed transfer case ( it has a LOW RANGE that can be used off-road )
The cast of Tric Trac - 1997 includes: Enrique Alonso Emilio Guerrero as Pedro (1997) Gabriela Hassel Lorena Meritano Claudio Yarto as Tric-Trac
Either press the trac switch on the dash or find and remove the ABS fuses.
Pressing that button temporarily turns off traction control.
Trac off means your traction control is turned off.
I got a 1997 explorer sport with control trac 4wd. its suppose to but it doesnt work.
traction
check sticking sliders need copper grease.
On a 1998 Lincoln Town Car : If " check trac " is displayed with the engine running a problem with the traction control system has been detected and the traction control system needs to be checked and the problem corrected
When the trac light is off, on a Buick Century, the traction control monitoring system is disengaged. It is recommended to have the trac system engaged on wet roads.
usually Smart-Trac all-wheel drive