92 Expl. Air Intake Heater?? Need help!

Hi there, I'm Desperately hoping some kind person out there can help me with my problem. I have a 1992 ford explorer, and here in Alaska I need to get it IM'ed (to limit pollution) Well I took it to get IM'ed and the man there told me it didn't pass and that my air intake heater was bad. That's all he would tell me. Can any one help clarify this? Is it a unit that needs to be re placed? Or perhaps a part of the engine that is not functioning properly. A valve of some sort perhaps? legally i have to get this fixed in a short time, and I'd like to know more about what it is that needs to be fixed. Thanks!!!

BreeAnn

There is an MAF (mass air flow) sensor that has a heated filament used in determining the temperature of the intake air. Not sure if that is what your mechanic is talking about but that is the only heater associated with intake air on the vehicle.