Im fixing the engine bay wiring on my 82 244 GL (AT). I have new wire i want to use but im not sure it will work. The wiring to sensors is a finer strand (thinner copper wire in the insulation) and i want to know if i can use the thicker strand type i have to either extend/patch/replace the sensor(finer strand) wiring? Does the wire strand count and thickness matter when wiring this car?

TYVM

It is OK to use wire of larger gauge, which I think you are describing. Note: larger gauge wire is denoted by smaller number. i.e. 16 gauge wire is smaller than 12 gauge wire.

The type of wire used in the harness is called stranded wire. There is an overall gauge for the conductor, which is constructed using many smaller wires, strands, of a smaller gauge. If the wire is built with a large number of small strands, it will be more flexible than the same gauge wire built of a small number of larger diameter strands.

Think of voltage as water pressure and current as water volume flowing through a pipe. The amount of current that must flow in a circuit is used to determine the wire gauge. Sensors do not require much current therefore the wire for them can be a small gauge. The starter requires a lot of current and therefore requires a large gauge wire.

Back to your question. Don't go with a wire too much larger, or you will have trouble routing it and splicing it into the existing wires. One last thing, make sure the insulation is oil and heat resistant.

Hope this helps.

Dan