Sedona 2002 Tail lights don't work - urgent!

[JNS]

Hi everyone!
I have a problem and need help ASAP as I am away from home and supposed to leave tonight!

I have a 2002 Sedona and the tail lights don't work anymore. The brakes and signals are fine, I've checked all the fuses in the kick panel and under the hood plus a couple that I found under the steering and all are good. ( I even used the fuse checker, not just the "looks ok" checker lol )

Here's a few points to maybe help figure this out:
1st, I can't remember if you can turn on the lights without the key, but I can't now
2nd: When the car starts, (lights off) the headlights do come on, not the tail lights. Lights turned on will give no change on headlights ( because of DRL I'm sure ) inside dash lights come on but no taillights still.
3rd: There was a hitch installed and removed, but whoever took it out just cut the plug off, didn't tape the wires. I have removed it now as it melted some. I checked all the wires it was connected and all are still connected, no exposed wiring to cause a short.
4th: with my remote keyless entry, the lights used to flash whenever the car was locked/unlocked, but not anymore.

Any ideas what I else I can try?
As of now my only option to get home safely is to go buy 2 red flashlights n tape 'em! lol

[Xnr]

Put a fuse in the EXT socket in engine compartment fusebox. I did for my 2002 and now the lights work from the switch but not with the DRL like they use to.