Mazda Repair: 91 Miata wont start after changing a/filter, air flow meter, miata enthusiast

Question
QUESTION: Hi. i believe i may have inadvertently damaged the air flow meter plug after removing 2 small screws (thinking it would give me a unobstructed view of the air filter housing--it was full of hay & needed to be vacuumed) i realized my error, gently replaced the screws, installed new a/filter--now the car won't start. please note the plug was never fully extracted from the housing. can you help. Mazda dealer advises the only way they can help is to get it towed in to the shop.
ANSWER: I will not pretend to be an expert on Miatas as my area of expertise is with carbureted Rx7's. However, I don't see why accidently removing a couple of screws from any part of the maf sensor should damage it. I presume that the car was running before you cleaned the straw from the intake. Also, how did this debris get into the intake?

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QUESTION: the car has been running fine last fall and again this spring. at least until i changed the a/filter the car was apparaently stored in a barn... i have noticed at least 2 bent male ends on this plug that sits on top of the a/flow meter. i was trying to extract the plug when i felt resistence and then immediately replaced it when i realized it wasn't such a good idea to remove. i believe some of the male ends were slightly bent during my effort to re-insert the plug... thanks  

Answer
Shoot, I just realized that I had this question still in my "unanswered" section. I guess my previous reply didn't go through. What a shame, it was a long reply :)

If you can't get the car to start due to a damaged maf sensor, then you may need to purchase a new sensor. These sensors are not expensive if you buy them from a Miata enthusiast or a wrecking yard. You can also upgrade at the same time. The 1.8 sensor and the Rx7 sensor will both fit. These sensors will flow better than your stock sensor and thus provide better top end power. They literally bolt into and require no adjustment or modification.