Stuttering car w/ no A/C

On my way back from NYC, while on cruise control, my car made a popping sound, snapped, and the check engine light turned on. Luckily, I only had a few miles left on the highway. My A/C didn't work from then on. The next morning I go start it, and starts fine, but dies right away. The RPM's just jump up and down, and finally it stops and just dies. After a couple of starts, it stays on, but then as I back up, it dies once again. Once warmed up it can run, but in an erratic way: the RPM's jump up and down, and I can't give it too much gas, or else it just stutters and sounds as if it is going to die. I have no horsepower left, and can't accelerate at all. I was just wondering if you guys knew anything about this, since I don't wanna spend time and money fixing something that is fatal to begin with. The car was running smoothly and was in great shape inside and out before this. It is a '93 Maxima SOHC. Also, there is a burning smell that comes out sometimes, but it's bearable.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Does this year have self diagnostics ???
I had a 1985 - 3.0L..the did the same thing (no issues with A/C.)...
using the on board system.... it told me the check the MAF....
Sure enough I have a spare one from a junk car I brought cheap...

Replace it ....car runs great again...