Bad MAF? How can you tell?

[Frank]

95 Exploder. 4.0 V6. Check engine light started coming on a while back. It has an off-idle hesitation. I changed plugs (they were due, looked ok, just worn), pulled the EGR valve and it tested fine. Replaced the IAB. I checked the codes and it came up with two for the TPS sensor so I changed it, but the problem is still there. I was reading today that a bad MAF can exhibit this behavior, so I unplugged it. The problem got a little worse, but its still very drivable and has plenty of pickup.

My next plan is to pull the MAF and try to clean the filaments.

[85turbocoupe]

Done all the basics? Checked plugs wires, coil, fuel pump, filter, injectors?

[SMEGMA STENCH]

In my experience, the check engine light will come on when the MAF is having trouble for some reason. Definitely clean the filaments with a q-tip and a high % alcohol. Also check your IAT (intake air temperature) sensor. It can get dirty just like the MAF and its oh so easy to take it outa there and give it the Q-tip cleaning. Mine was freaking caked in dirt on the side that faces the intake. If dirt is on there, it could read the wrong temp and tell the motor to give the wrong fuel amount at the wrong time.

[FoxBodyNick]

a bad maf will cause lean/rich readings on both banks of the motor so i would assume you would have read oxygen codes with it if it was the maf.

[greenbullitt]

take the af lid off and blow in the maf while running, it should choke rich if operating right, a cleaning may still help as the smallest of trash can cause problems. Ive seen several mafs go bad and not set a light.