Mass Airflow (MAF) Sensor
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1995 Lincoln Mark VIII. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
MAF sensor measures flow of air entering the engine. This measurement of airflow is proportional to engine load (throttle opening). The sensing element (hot wire) is a thin platinum wire wound on a ceramic bobbin and coated with glass. The hot wire is maintained at 392°F (200°C) hotter than the cold wire, located downstream of hot wire. As air passes through airflow sensor, the air temperature is measured as it passes over the cold wire sensor. The PCM uses this information to calculate the required injector pulse width in order to provide desired air/fuel ratio.