Transmission just stopped working. was running fine before.

Make sure all the connectors are connected to the transmission input and output shaft sensors. Also, check to see if the vehicle speed sensor is connected as well as the range switch. If all are connected, disconnect both battery cables from the battery and hold the positive cable and the negative cable to each other for about 30 seconds. Doing this drains the capacitor in the ECM and resets the system. Reconnect the cables to see if problem is still present.

sound like the transmission is bad! there one thing you can do that may help. change the transmission fluid, because the filter may get clogged up. also check the fluid level.

Vehicle speed sensor. This runs the odometer/speedometer. Top of tranny, a cable runs all the way to the back of the odometer.

CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. SOUND LIKE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. BEST THING TO DO IF NOT.TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER.IF TRANSMISSION FILTER STOPPED UP TRANSMISSION CAN PUMP ENOUGH THROUGH DIRTY FILTER TO OPERATE WHEN FLUID GETS HOT BECOMES THINNER THEN IT WILL FLOW THROUGH FILTER BEFORE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT RIGHT.

Cheapest scenario is to change the transmission filter. That is if it is an automatic. When you do this, most transmissions have a magnet in the transmission pan. If yours has one I would check it for excessive metal shavings or worse metal chunks.

Sounds like transmission is low on fluid or the transmission cooler not working and getting hot

yep a stop up fuel filter.will cause low power.also bad gas and if transmission fluid is low.transmission will starting slipping. causing low power.check transmission fluid if it looks black has burnt smell.change transmission fluid and filter.

the transmission is slipping

the transmission works properly after restarting so mechanically the transmission is fine
Run the fault codes to determine the problem area ( TR, TCM, VSS ,solenoids and servos) check for wiring harness problems and water in the connections

dodge uses e solenoids to shift the trans.I am not sure on an 88 but this sounds like why it acts up when drained.
repair your charging system and should be fine