Were trying to see how Air Flow Censor works? My truck sputts when i start it. Has a hard time starting. Do you have a diagram of the truck?

to check mass air flow censor start motor unplug wire for the censor if motor continues to run u have a bad censor also check air filter not to hard to fix on most models

hi
Try changing MAF mass air flow censor
and clean throttle body

i hope that helps

9 times out of 10 your problem is going to to be with the MAF Sensor. You changed it, was the old one bad? If not try putting the old one back in. If you bought an aftermarket MAF and didn't replace with an OEM MAF, that could also be your problem. Recheck to make sure it's seated correctly, check the wire connection.
Unless the stickers have been removed, you should have a vacuum line diagram under your hood.
Here are what you should check from top to bottom.

• A clogged, stuck, or leaking fuel injector
• Faulty fuel regulator
• Dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor
• Faulty coolant temperature sensor
• Faulty thermostat
• ECM needs reprogramming
• Dirty or faulty oxygen sensor
• Vacuum leak
• Fuel delivery problem
• Incorrect fuel pressure

A lot of times when the car is hard to start when it is cold, it is the mass air flow sensor causing the problem. On the newer vehicles the mass air flow sensor acts as the older choke worked. It limits the amount of air flow. Which will make the engine start faster and easier.

Without test main componets on the vehicle we would only be guessing . Doing electrical checks , hooking up a professional scan tool an viewing engine data etc. your best bet ,take it to a qualified repair shop . Spend the money for an hour diagnostic time .That is unless you like guessing an just replacing parts
047 Engine Hard to Start or No Start Scan Data for Ignition
048 Engine Hard to Start or No Start Scan Data for Starting Problems

I would check air flow sensor(MAF).
Just had Subaru with the same problem , at times it was hard to start , and when it finaly starts no power, rough idle , no acceleration.
I belive your car is OBD I , so you can try to disconnect air mass sensor while it's running , and see if it's any better.

After repeated checks I found a faulty temperature censor which allows current to flow to the high idle solenoid and fuel preasure solenoid. It fired up rather quickly and didn't need any starting fluid.
John

was the MAF? rebuilt? or new? i have bought quite a few reman's that were junk! exchange it and try a different one

Check the connector to the mass airflow censor...located just behind the air cleaner in the metal part of the throttle body.

Start the car and wiggle the connector if it shuts off or stumbles the connection inside the mass air flow censor is faulty. Replace censor.

This probably is the mass air flow censor located just behind the air cleaner in the metal part of the throttle body. Wiggle the connector if it stumbles or shuts off the connection inside the censor is bad. You will need to replace the censor.