yes, the vehicle will run with a disconnected MAF. but that doesn't address your problem. look at your wiring harnesses very closely and see if any of the insulation is coming off, especially around the cooling fan harnesses. Also, look at the water pump pulley for possible chafing of the harness to the TP sensor. Your vehicle may be shorting VREF to ground which will stall the engine and not set a code (or CEL).
