Abstract: According to the invention a pickup for measuring the maximum pressure in the internal combustion engine cylinder comprises a spring-loaded reversing valve mounted in a housing and being in contact with the first seat made in the housing on the side of the compressed air supply passage. In another operating position the reversing valve contacts the second seat which is an end face of the bead made on the rod of another valve. The meter chamber confined with the operating surface of the reversing valve and the second seat is communicated with the engine cylinder through a passage made in said rod. The pressure to be measured in the engine cylinder corresponds to the counter-pressure of the compressed air. The pickup according to the invention is compact in structure and convenient in operation.