Welcome . Go to Autozone or Advance and scan (free service) for the CEL code and post the exact code.

Do not unscrew the MAF sensor from the housing. Just unscrew the big hose clamps (and remove the clips) from the air intake ducts and spray through the big round (metal) tube.

Use non chlorinated brake cleaner or MAF sensor cleaner (CRC brand) you can buy from Advance or Autozone. Some just spray on, some use Q-tips. If you use Q-tips, be very careful as the sensor is very delicate.

MAF sensor
http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=36
and
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=zetecmaint&Number=989728&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1
and
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/cb/25/0900823d801bcb25.jsp


"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles