windsheild washers loose prime

just a few months ago I thought i had a burnt out washer pump, but when I looked into it i found it was still working, but i have to hold it on for at least 15 seconds before it starts spraying. Obviously i don't have 15 seconds when a semi sprays road salt all over my windshield in the highway. Any idea why the pump takes so long? Washer fluid is full...

Is there a check valve in the system that could be stuck open? If not, perhaps you should install one to keep the line full of fluid at all times.

that's what i was thinking, but even if all the lines drained would it take 15 + seconds to prime the fluid up?

If I run mine dry and then fill it, it only takes 2 seconds to start spraying again.

Sounds like yours is having a hard time priming itself. Make sure the intake line isn't kinked or cracked, or clogged with something. If the lines are fine, it's possible you just have a bad pump. At 12 bucks, it's not exactly the end of the world to replace...

once it starts spraying it sprays pretty good, but it takes a long time to prime up. If its a cheap part as mentioned maybe ill just go ahead and replace the pump...i cant see anything else going wrong within 2 months.