Chevrolet Repair: Chevy S-10, mass air flow sensor, mass air flow

Question
Hi Tom -  I have a 1997 Chevy S-10, 2.2 liter, extended cab truck. Lately we have been experiencing problems with it and would like your help.  We have given it a tune up recently which didn't help much at all.  Here's what we are experiencing:

1) Sometimes turns over but doesn't start.  Takes several tries and have to give it gas sometimes while doing this. Usually this happens in the morning and it doesn't give much other trouble throughout the day, however lately that has not been the case.
2) Backfires occasionally
3) Sometimes sputters and stalls out when taking off, even while giving it gas.  (almost seems like the gas isn't getting where it needs to go, but I have no idea)

Any help you can give would be great.  Feel free to email me at:

Thanks a lot!

Answer
HI EVA,THIS COULD BE A FEW THINGS THAT ARE CAUSING THIS..HAS THE CK ENG LIGHT EVER COME ON ??
IF SO YOU WILL NEED TO GET IT SCANNED AND FIND OUT WHAT CODE IS IN THE PCM. THEN GET BACK TO ME. IF NO CK ENG LIGHT ON THIS COULD BE SOMETHING LIKE A BAD MAP OR MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR..YOU COULD TRY REMOVING THE ELECTRIC CONNECTOR TO THE MAP OR MASS AIR FLOW WHICH EVER THIS TRUCK HAS AND SEE IF IT RUNS BETTER[[IT WILL NOT RUN PERFECT LIKE THIS BUT BETTER.]]IF IT RUNS BETTER THE THAN THIS SENSOR IS BAD..TO BE SURE IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM A SCAN TOOL WITH LIVE DATA WOULD TELL YOU..BUT YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THIS TO A SHOP THAT HAS A SCAN TOOL TO CK FOR YOU..THE OTHER PROBLEM COULD BE A WEAK IGNITION COIL..WE HAVE HAD MANY BAD COILS ON THIS ENGINE..LET ME KNO HOW YOU MAKE OUT..TOM..