Either your oil pressure gauge is reading low , your engine temperature gauge is
reading high , or your fuel gauge is reading low so your almost out of gas
The dash lights on an Explorer are used to light the warning symbols and to illuminate the speedometer, gas gauge, and RPM gauge. These lights are controlled by fuses.
First thing you want to check is the dimmer switch to see if it is turned all the way down.
Commonly check the temp gauge on the dash.
The check gage light ( if equipped ) lights up if the fuel tank is at or near empty , the engine coolant temperature is high , or the oil pressure is low
check the altinator
On a 1997 Ford Explorer : CHECK ENGINE is just to the left of the " C " on the engine coolant temperature gauge ( Helpfull )
I hate to ask , but did you check the gauge panel dimmer switch ( just to the right of your headlight switch on your dash ) to see if it has been rotated all the way down ?
Answer location of check gauges lightthe check gauges light is on your instrument panel when it comes on it lights up saying check gauges
brakes, lights, oil, water, battery, air & gas
Either your battery is dead, or your alternator has failed.
In a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac : The CHECK " GAGE " warning light comes on if the the oil pressure is too low , the engine cooling temperature is too high , or the gas tank gauge is near or at empty
The check gage light comes on if the engine coolant temperature is too high , the oil pressure is too low , or the gas gauge is at or near empty