94 Ranger 2.3L check engine light/air flow sensor

I have a 94 Ranger with a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder and the check enging light is on...it's most likely due to the fact that the mass air flow sensor is disconnected. But the problem is when MAF sensor is attached the motor runs for about a second them shuts off. I thought the problem was a bad MAF sensor and I tried a used one but it does the same thing. With the sensor disconnected it runs OK but uses more fuel and doesnt run smooth. Any help would be greatly appreciated

unplugging that sensor makes your vehicle run into

"open loop" mode... which you already knows is running from a pre-set program & is making you run "rich" all the time, wasting gas...

did you check the actual wiring of that circuit? if the MAFS is verified that it's not a broken wire, then go and check out the rest of the wiring harness from that sensor

you can also access the trouble codes as well if you want:

http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/