On a 2000 Mercury Cougar :
The brake fluid reservoir is also used as the clutch fluid reservoir
Clutch having trouble in reverse
Check for a blown fuse.
Check and fix the engine.
Check inside the center console.
Check local library for service manuals
check your owners manual?
Check for the recall on that. I believe it is recalls.gov
Normally one would be able to purchase a used Mercury Cougar at any General Motors dealership. Of course, you could also check the classified section of your local newspaper.
check crank sensor and air mass meter.
check the switch at the break peddle
check the recalls!!
Follow the troubleshooting tree that is associated with that code.
Check out autozone.com's repair guides online, under suspension, they have a good guide for doing it.