I've read quite a number of articles on the web regarding the diagnosis of a bad MAF for the first gen LS as well as GM and other MAF's. One of the easy checks, besides reading the codes, is mentioned as following. while the engine is running, slightly tap the circuit on the MAF and if that changes the idle that indicates a faulty MAF. another test suggests unplugging the MAF connection and see if there are any changes with the engine.
I'm thinking of unplugging the MAF connector but I would like to find out if doing so will trigger the CEL ? if not it would be a test worth trying.
suggestions?

 

LS MAF, unlike other MAFs, use ingenuis vortex technique to measure MAF and is all solid state. Quite durable and expensive to replace.