Fuel filter issue?

I'm trying to help my grandfather on this one.

He has a 96 Aerostar with only 36,000 miles on it.

He says the chech engine light keeps coming on when his fuel gauge gets between 1/4 and 1/8 of a tank. It seems to go off when he fills it up though and except for the light, the van runs great. (It better with onlk 36K.)

Except for the obvious wisecrack that I would make: "I would just keep it filled up!"... do any of you guys have any idea what this may be?

My thought was that it could be the fuel filter, perhaps it is partially clogged to the extent that a full tank holds enough pressure but it starts to strain when it gets low? Seems that it HAS to have something to do with the fuel system or a related guage or sensor???????

Any input any of you may have would be appreciated. We wrecked ours a few years ago and I don't have any other resources to look this up in.

Thanks!

You might just have a loose/bad gas cap. Have the codes retrieved and see if they can help point you in the right direction. Many places like Autozone will check the codes for free.

foodstamp