Why does the cruise control on a 1997 saturn when set speed up?

Check the linkage at the advance to se if it is broken. Some are by mechanical connection and others are by vacuum. If vacuum you have developed a leak and must replace the controler to make it work again.

It is HVAC 1fuse #39 in the rear fuse block ,this powers the on/off switch for cruise control ! Fuse Block - Rear Beneath the left rear seat. What engine does it have ? 4.2 L or 5.3 l There is no vacuum involved in the operation of the cruise control ! Your vehicle has electronic throttle control .
Cruise control is a speed control system that maintains a desired vehicle speed under normal driving conditions at vehicle speeds above 40 km/h (25 mph). Steep grades may cause variations in the selected vehicle speeds.
The following are the main components of the Cruise Control System:
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The powertrain control module (PCM)

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The On/Off switch

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The Resume/Accel switch

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The Set/Coast switch

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The TCC brake switch

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The stop lamp switch

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The throttle actuator control (TAC) motor

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The vehicle speed sensor

Cruise Control Engaged
The cruise control system will engage and adjust the vehicle speed based on the activation of the following cruise control switches:
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On/Off

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Resume/Accel.

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Set/Coast

The cruise control switches are located on the multifunction/turn signal lever.
The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors the signal circuits of the cruise control switches in order to determine when to capture and maintain the selected vehicle speed. The PCM uses the throttle actuator control (TAC) module motor in order to control the vehicle speed. For further information on the TAC System, refer to Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) System Description in Engine Controls - 4.2 L.
Ignition positive voltage is supplied from the 10 ampere HVAC 1 fuse to the cruise control switch via the ignition 3 voltage circuit. When the normally open cruise control On/Off switch is turned On, the switch closes and the PCM detects a high signal voltage on the cruise control on switch signal circuit. When the normally open Set/Coast switch is pressed, the switch closes and the PCM detects a high signal voltage on the cruise control set/coast switch signal circuit. To engage the cruise control system, turn the On/Off switch On and momentarily press the Set/Coast switch. The PCM will confirm that the cruise control enable criteria has been achieved. The PCM will engage the cruise control system and record the selected vehicle speed. The PCM sends a class 2 message to the instrument panel cluster in order to illuminate the cruise control indicator. Pressing the accelerator pedal, while the cruise control system is engaged, will allow the driver to override the cruise control system in order to accelerate the vehicle beyond the current set vehicle speed. When the accelerator pedal is released, the vehicle will decelerate and resume the current set vehicle speed. The driver can also override the current set vehicle speed via the Set/Coast switch and the Resume/Accel switch. When the cruise control system is engaged, pressing and holding the Set/Coast switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate from the current set vehicle speed without deactivating the cruise control system. When the Set/Coast switch is released, the PCM will record the vehicle speed and maintain the vehicle speed as the new set vehicle speed. When the cruise control system is engaged, momentarily pressing the Set/Coast switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate at 1.6 km/h (1 mph) increments for each time that the Set/Coast is momentarily pressed, with a minimum vehicle speed of 37 km/h (23 mph). When the normally open Resume/Accel switch is activated, the switch closes and the PCM detects a high signal voltage on the cruise control resume/accel switch signal circuit. Activating and holding the Resume/Accel switch, when the cruise control system is engaged, will allow the vehicle to accelerate to a greater vehicle speed than the current set vehicle speed. When the Resume/Accel switch is released, the PCM will record the vehicle speed and maintain the vehicle speed as the new set vehicle speed. When the cruise control system is engaged, momentarily activating the Resume/Accel switch will allow the vehicle to accelerate at 1.6 km/h (1 mph) increments for each time that the Resume/Accel switch is momentarily activated, with the maximum acceleration total of 16 km/h (10 mph) over the current set vehicle speed . Momentarily activating the Resume/Accel switch, after the cruise control system has been disengaged by pressing the brake pedal, will recall the previous set vehicle speed that is recorded in the PCM.

Cruise Control
Any given speed above approximately 22 mph (35 km/h) can be maintained with the cruise control by operating the lever.
-see photo

1. Accelerate and set: Lift lever briefly to set speed. Hold lever up to accelerate.
2. Decelerate and set:
   Depress lever briefly to set speed. Hold lever down to decelerate.
   Normally the vehicle is accelerated to the desired speed with the accelerator. Speed is set by briefly pushing
   the lever to position 1 or 2. The accelerator can be released. The speed can be increased (e.g. for passing)
   by using the accelerator. As soon as the accelerator is released, the previously set speed will be resumed automatically. If a set speed is to be increased or decreased slightly, e.g. to adapt to the traffic flow, hold lever in position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or briefly tip the control lever in the appropriate direction for increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km/h) increments. When the lever is released, the newly set speed remains.
3. Canceling

To cancel the cruise control, briefly push lever to position 3.
When you step on the brake or the vehicle speed drops below approx. 22 rnph (35 km/h), for example when driving upgrade, the cruise control will be canceled.
4. Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to position 4 when driving at a speed exceeding approx. 22 mph (35 km/h), the vehicle resumes the speed which was set prior to the cancellation of the cruise control. The last memorized speed is canceled when the key in the steering lock is turned to position 1 or 0.
Note:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the cruise control may be exceeded and you may have to step on the brake pedal to slow down.
As soon as the grade eases, the cruise controlled speed will again be maintained as long as the brakes were not previously applied, or the lever may be used to resume the previously set speed if the brakes were applied.


http://www.benzworld.org/forums/attachments/w202-c36-c43/153145d1197313761-pdf-owners-manual-w202-1995-2000-1999-c280_owners_manual.pdf

not being informed if it is auto or manual, here are some of the items that control the cruise control
brake pedal sensor ,
clutch pedal sensor,
vehicle speed sensor
engine ignition control module , tacho ,
vehicle speed --will disconnect if the road speed is below setting minimum speed
ratio changing
bad cruise control switch
wiring and connections
ecm problems
problem cruise control module

Testing the electrical inputs to the control module from the switch . Testing power an ground circuits to the switch . As a professional technician this is how i go about find what is wrong ! Not just replacing parts , that gets expensive. Do you know what a wiring diagram is ,an how to use one to pin point areas to do testing ? Here is a site for free wiring diagrams . http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html Enter your vehicle info. Year , make , model and engine size . Then under system click on Engine , then under subsystem click on speed controls . Click the search button , then on the blue link . You will see all the componets an wiring for the system . Do you know how to use a volt meter ?
Electric Testing Techniques You Need to Know
Mastering Voltage Drop Testing with Pete Meier and Jerry Truglia
96 98 Chevy pickup cruise control not working part 1 test module inputs

hello there:
you may have over looked the vacuum line for the cruise control that hooks up to or close to brake booster hope this helps you out..sincerely D.Jones

on the s series it was very common for carbon to build up inside the idle air control valve-IAC valve.there are too expensive and are easy to fix-buy the part so you know what is looks like the look at your throttle body(follow your air filter box tube to the top of the engine-the throttle body)the iac is right there.

Use the cruise control on/off switch and set it to ON. Then momentarily hit the set/coast switch and that should do it. I believe everything is located on the steering wheel.

This could be a dirty filter. i would start there and replace fluids with lucas tranny fluid. Does it change when the car warms up i wonder ?