This paper presents an alternative approach to investigating the origin and the development process of knock vibrations that occur in an indirect injection (IDI) diesel engine. In contrast to the conventional analysis of the pressure rise rate, this study focuses on the analysis of instantaneous resonant frequencies at different moments during combustion. The smoothed pseudo-Wigner-Ville distribution (SPWVD) and Hilbert transform methods are applied to estimate the resonant frequency under different conditions representing various knock intensities. Two important factors are found significantly to influence knock development. Finally, design strategies and preferable fuel injection patterns are suggested for reducing knock intensity.