New member. long time Mercedes driver. I currently have two w211's.

I am having an issue with my 2004 e500. I did some research, and found a few pertinent threads, but no real resolutions posted. Input appreciated.
On occasion, the car would crank more than usual to start. almost cranking in an odd way. If turned the key away from the start position, and the attempted to restart immediately, it would crank as normal and start. Not sure if this is related or not to issue. It may be, which is why i mentioned it.

Driving yesterday, the car sputtered out of nowhere, and then died. When I attempted to restart, for a few times, it would crank for a bit and then catch for a second or two and then stall. After it did this a few times, and up until this moment, it cranks but does not start.

I ran mercedes code diagnostic scanner on it and it came up as p0104 b2/5 (hot film mass air flow sensor), check signal line. From what I have read, that is the 5v line going to the MAF. Several threads have indicated it is my MAF gone bad. I sprayed cleaner in air flow direction to clean off hot wire in MAF. There does not appear to be sand or dirt in the "airbox" as well.

Here is where I am now:

1. I cleared out the code p0104. I unplugged MAF and car still would crank but not start. I was under the impression that if it is the MAF, it would start and use baseline numbers to stay running. Is that incorrect, or am I correct in eliminating the MAF as the culprit.

2, I checked seals around airbox to MAF and vacuum lines for leaks. Cant seem to find any.

3. After trying to start car again with MAF unplugged, now I get a different code relating to a short in air temp sensor. I did not write down exact code, but I can if you guys need it. original hot wire code is gone as of now.

I have not pursued diagnosis of fuel or spark yet given the code that was thrown.

Any ideas?