an airflow sensor, or more commonly called a Mass air flow senso
works by heating an element to a predetermed temprature, an
maintaning that temp. the more airflow across the sensor, the mor
power needed to maintain that temp. a more accurate way to test i
by using a scan tool that has real time measurments available. mos
manufactures have specific qauntities that should be consumed (i
grams per second usually) at idle and wide open throttle in
specific gear. its much easier with a tool than trying to measur
these things with a voltmeter while the car is in motion. a low tec
approach is, if you suspect the mass air flow sensor to be causing
driveability issue (usually extremely sluggish, or excessive fue
consumption) unplug the sensor and drive it that way. the car
computer will have a preset guidlines to follow based on informatio
from the map sensor, and throttle position sensor. if your proble
is less evident like this, than most likely the sensor is faulty