Alfa Romeo Repair: Check Engine Light, mass air flow meter, mass air flow

Question
I own a 92 Spider Voloce. I have been experiencing a problem recently that I can`t identify. The only way I can discribe it is as follows:
While driving I feel something that I can only describe as a loss of pressure while stepping on the gas. The car is unable to excelerate during these periods.  After a few seconds the gas kicks in and the car response as normal.  The check engine light goes on shortly after these occurrences. I have taken my car to the shop on several occasions but they have been unable to diagnois the problem. I love my car and do not want to get rid of it but I am afraid to drive due to this recuring problem. Any help you can offer will be greating appreciated.
THANKS!  

Answer
Hi,

Of course, trying to trouble shoot a problem like this without looking at the car, is tough but I'll try to give you some ideas.
The "Check Engine" light comes on whenever there is ANY problem as perceived by the ECU module.  From what you describe, it sounds like the Fuel Injection is shutting down for a few seconds.  When the ECU reads the problem, it lights the Check Engine indicator.  
I suspect either an intermittent sensor or a bad ground.  The repair shop can't diagose the problem if they can't duplicate it.  If it's an Alfa repair shop, they should have a Bosch Autoforce Tester.  If it's not an Alfa shop, and there are none available where you live, then any shop that specializes in BMW, Porsche, Volvo, Mercedes, etc etc. should work.  They all use the Motronic EFI system.  With the tester, they can drive the car with it connected between the harness and the ECU.  When it starts to mess up, the tester will show clearly the source of the problem.  A temperature sensor, the Mass Air Flow meter, the ECU itself... there are a dozen things that can cause it.  Also with the tester, they can do simulations like making the ECU think the engine is cold etc.
I'm trying to think of a direction to point as I write this but there are so many possiblilities it's hard to say.

One thing I'm sure the shop has tried but you can do it easily yourself, is disconnect the battery for about five minutes.  This resets the ECU.  I doubt if it will cure the problem, but you never know.

I don't know what your abilities are or if you wanted to try to fix this yourself.  I can give you a procedure for checking things, but without the test equipment, some might require replacing something with a known good part.  Let me know if you want to try it yourself and I'll try to talk you through some things.

dave