Saab: Saab starting problems, gm motor, limp home

Question
I have a 95 9000 hatchback, automatic, and untill today it has been almost problem free for the last three years which I have had it. This morning I drove the saab 60 miles and then parked it, and this afternoon I went to run an errand and it wouldn't start. The battery seems to be fine as the radio turns on, and the lights and everything. The engine trys to turn over, but it doesn't seem to catch, and touching the gas a bit doesn't help at all. After two tries I did get it to start, but only for a couple of minutes, for which it didn't sound very good or normal, and the engine temp gauge shot up to the max reading and then down to the lowest reading twice while the car was on... I am lost as to what happened.. this morning the car ran just fine, I didn't notice any problems at all.please help.

Answer
Please keep in mind that I am very unfamilier with 94' and newer Saabs - you actually have a GM motor in your car. But, I am guessing that a sensor or component is not working properly. This has set off your computer which has decided to put your vehicle into "limp home" mode. Hence, the car running poorly. On the other hand, you may have broken a timing belt in which case you are screwed. The "limp home" solution is the most likely.