Pontiac Repair: over idling, thin bracket, vacuum leak

Question
Every no and again my 1997 grand am(3.1) over revs. At first it would idle at about 1500 to 2000rpms. Now it revs anywhere from 2000 to 3500rpms. It wont kick itself down and i cant kick it down by tapping the gas. However, if i turn the key on and off a bunch of times without starting the car it seems to run just fine. I'm at a loss.

Answer
Hi
Really sounds like you MAY have a vacuum leak of some sort.
On that particular year there is a LARGE vacuum line that runs from one side of engine to other from PCV valve to EVAP purge solonoid.
It recieves its vacuum from the throttle body and mounts DIRECTLY on top on throttle and is held down  by a thin bracket that is also the throttle cable bracket.
The rubber seal that seals this line will occasionally loosen up and allow a HUGE vacuum leak, and the symptoms you describe. Other times, it may seal off fine, and it will not act up.
That is JUST a suggestion.
You should be able to just move that vacuum lineon top and if it unseats or seats easily, I would think you found problem.
IF NOT, I would HIGHLY recommend taking it to a repair shop in your area your familiar with. Maybe one referred by family, friends, or co-workers. Have it checked out, the high idle at cold start up can SEVERLY damage your engine suddenly and catostrophically.
Not something you should wait on repairing.
I Hope this all helps.
Good Luck
Pawl