Mass Airflow Sensor
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Saturn LW300 and 2003 Saturn L300. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The Mass Airflow (MAF) sensor measures amount of air entering engine. The MAF sensor is equipped with hot film to measure the air flow rate. As the air flow increases, the current through the sensing element increases and the sensor signal voltage will increase as well.
A fault in the MAF circuit should set a related diagnostic trouble code. If a related DTC is not present and MAF sensor is suspected of causing a driveability problem, perform functional check of MAF sensor. See SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - 3.0L SATURN "L" SERIES article.