96 explorer cranks but will not start it was running fine an hour before BUT the check engine light has been on for a week or so?

It's important that you run a computer diagnostic test to see what the computer is reporting. When the check engine light comes on it's telling you that the computer has "stored a problem code" meaning that you're supposed to check into what's going on. In general, the computer will know quite a bit about what's wrong, but it can't tell the difference between out of fuel, a blocked filter or a failed fuel pump. On the other hand, it could be a throttle position sensor or an ICM and the computer WOULD know what's wrong or at least point you in the right direction.