After lots of poking and prodding and reading, I believe I've discovered that I do indeed have a Vane Air Flow Meter, and not a heated wire Air Flow Sensor. I also found a website online that offered the same part that O'Reilly Parts has ordered for me. Only the website had a picture. It is the right part and includes the entire housing.
On my way home from work tonight, I'm going to buy it. Then, I'll rip mine apart and try to fix it. If it works, I'll bring the part back and by some silicone sealant to reseal the case. If it doesn't work, I'll just replace it and bring back my broken one for a core refund.
The process seems simple enough. 1) Cut through the silicone on the top. 2) Pry the lid off. 3) Figure out where the wires go and which ones have ripped. 4) Solder them to the right spots. 5) Close the lid. 6) Reseal the top. 7) Cross fingers.
One guy at Yotatech was very helpful in leading me in the right direction. I love the Internet. And I love helpful people. If I had had this problem when the truck was first bought (in 1991), I would have no choice but to take it to the dealer or replace the part, as I don't know any car guys with enough experience in this field.
However, I will need a VERY small pointed solder iron. Anyone want to lend me theirs or even, perhaps, watch me do the repair for moral support?
