2001 Buick Park Avenue battery change

Have you tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery?

Disconnected and reconnected battery no change. Temperature indicator rests below gauge peg and moves slightly clockwise but peg prevents it from moving into proper position where it can indicate coolant temperature. If I could manually move the indicator counter clockwise 360 degreees would the gauge function normally?

I have actually seen people drill a small hole in the inst panel and use a tooth pick to turn the needle. You have to be very light on the drill bit to drill it because it can crack the plastic.