My 96 Grand Am Gt recently started lurching when idoling. On occassion I will put it into Neutral to keep the entire car from lurching, and sometimes the RPMs will go up as the engine revs high (about 3k). The engine makes a very "airey" sound in idol, but seems to run fine once I give it some gas and start moving. There seems to be some power loss when accelerating, but I haven't pushed it for fear of further damage. Also I notice a faint strange burning smell, or sometimes gas odor, when I get out and open the hood. Any suggestions?

Welcome to AF !

Sound like you might hav a vacum leak on the intake.
Check around for loose hoses. Make sure the PCV vavle is working.
Your IAC may be not working well either. Its located on the side of the TB, two torx screws hold it in. Youcan remove it and clean it with TB cleaner and see if that dont clear it up. also clean or gently scrape out the pocket it goes in, carbon builds up in thier.

Just be sure not to push or turn the pointed tip when you remove it, it'll trow off the calibration.

Let me know what you find out.

Thanks for the input. It was in fact a vacuum leak, good call. The fitting on the top of the throttle body/intake had come loose. I took it to a shop I found here in Austin. Carter's (n.lamar at airport). Joe the mechanic is great! First place I have found in Austin that I trust. He took a look, discovered the loose fitting, removed the bracket, cut a piece of rubber hosing, wedged it into the opening, and reinserted....Presto! Perfect, and he didn't want to charge me???!!!! I gave him a 20 and he topped off all the tire pressure. Saved me a lot of chasing my tail :banghead: and unnecessary expenses trying to self-diagnose.

No Problem !

Glad it was simple and inexpensive :thumbsup: