This sensor is used for detecting structural born vibrations in spark ignition engines due to uncontrolled combustion. This sensor is suitable for operation in extreme conditions. Due to the inertia of the seismic mass, the sensor moves in correlation to the engine block vibration; this motion results in a compressive force which is converted into a voltage signal via a piezoceramic sensor element. As a result, upper and lower voltage thresholds can be defined directly correlating to an acceleration magnitude. The main benefits of this sensor are its robust mechanical design, compact housing and precise determination of structure-related noise. The small packaging is accomplished by integrating the connector directly to the sensor.