Air Mass Sensor Pierburg

I recently had a major power drop on my 01 2.5 TDI. Did some interwebbing & found a few ideas. Seems my boost had disappeared. I disconnected the MAF for cleaning & testing. Cleaned but cant test yet as i dont have a multimetre. However, afer leaving it disconnected, the car now has boost again & is significantly more powerful. Tested on a nearby hill which it can now climb in 3rd where with maf sensor connected it cannot do in 2nd.
Anyway, does everybody think this is a dead MAF?
Also, has anybody used the pierburg repalcement sensor rather than the complete OEM "unit"?

Cheers

ps i tried heaps of searches on here & found nothing about these issues

Faulty MAF sensor will affect engine performance, but it would be better to diagnose it properly before you bin it.
There are reports that Pierburg MAF sensors are more reliable.

What you have described re. disconnecting & power is restored is the usual laymans/quick test for the MAF.
If you can access VAG COM here is the confirming test.
Vag Com stuff. - The Brick-yard

anybody know best place to buy VCDS(lite?) & cable & the pierburg?

cheers

Pierburg is available through AFI. Around $200
oem unit is is around $350 exchange through VW

That's a lot cheaper than what I paid back at the end of '03 for my previous van. A Bosch one through Imparts was $425, genuine around $550 at the time.
Were you able to get VAG COM?

not quite sure what i need in regards to Vag-com . Apparently is now VCDS? Can i change ecu settings with the lite free version?

I think we are both in the dark. I am not familiar with "lite free version"
I bought a lead off Ebay & the program of Ross Tech. If you are interested here's some reading for you.
Ross-Tech: Home