engine only runs with MAF disconnected

[Steve Wood]

I am with you on buying parts.

When you plug the maf in, does it blow black smoke out the tail pipes as it would when it went rich, or does it go the opposite way, no smoke and very lean?

You checked the Translator and saw ON, ON, ON, Off

The knobs are set for the correct maf 3" Lt1 or 3.5" https://www.turbotweaksupport.com/files/translatorinstructions.pdf

I think you are down to talking to Bob...he designed it, and built it...but better, he worked in the GM research group and he understands as completely as anyone how these cars work.  And, he is really a nice guy as well.  I would try him   bob@bailey-eng.com
Let us know what happens.  I'm old but I still like to learn things LOL

[Gerry17]

yes it goes rich and starts smoking.. the translator is set 3 switches up and 1 down. I will definitely reach out to Bob. Thanks
for the info. I will let you know what happens.

[daveismissing]

The 2.5volts is GM telling a tech what he might measure with his voltmeter when it is really a frequency around 100-300Hz. Different voltmeters may vary a bit. If you said you plugged in a stock MAF and got the same 5V  then it looks like maybe a wiring problem the 5v MAF supply is connected to the MAF signal.

[Gerry17]

I connected a bulb between pnk/blk terminal and the ground terminal at the maf connector and the bulb was bright. I also connected the bulb between gray/ red terminal and ground and with my power probe supplied voltage  at b6 with connector off and bulb was bright. I also checked for short to power and short to ground. no problems found with any circuit. I am checking with maf disconnected and not back probing.