99 Saab 9-5 Check gearbox light on and really sluggish driving
 

I have a 99 Saab 9-5, i live in cold Michigan but i came out to crank it up to go get the radiator replaced because it has a small leak in the radiator. When i put it in reverse to back out of my parking spot. When I went to put it in drive to move forward it was sluggish and felt like it was in third gear. When I looked at the dash a check gearbox light was on. It barely wants to move forward but its drivable just really sluggish like driving your car in second gear. So i just parked it and have not drove it since. It goes in reverse just fine its just moving forward in a smooth fashion is the issue. Its a transmission issue but just not sure what. Any idea what the issue maybe? Thanks for any advice or assumptions.

You need to get the code pulled. It's in "limp home mode" where it doesn't go into 1st gear at all and is really not letting you apply too much power to the transmission. Get the code read and that will be a good start.