If it works when the car starts, the pump seems fine....

25 seconds is a little ecessive in my opinion - so could be the accumulator is knackered - this little dome contains a diaphram with Nitrogen pressure on one side and the brake fluid on the other, when the pump runs, it pressurises the brake fluid which pushes against the Nitrogen causing an increase in Nitrogen pressure, this is then used to maintain pressure in the hydraulic system - as you press the pedal, the Nitrogen pressure reduces and after about 10 or so pedal pushes, the pressure needs re-building and the pump runs again.

With the car running, after the pump has pressurised - press the brake pedal a few times - if the pump runs after one or two pushes, the accumulator is knackered, after about 5-7 pushes the accumulator is tired...it is runs on and off with out any pedal pushes - the accumulator is totally shot and maybe a tiny pressure leak in the system somewhere....

25 seconds is nothing, could be as much as 40-45 from cold start and okay
OP: Get the brakes bleed and new fluid, fluid gets old, tired - many countries require boiling point to certain level not required in UK - sure accumulator could have gone and nitrogen into fluid as well, if the accumulator is old change that as well - don't skimp on the brakes:)
 
Correct if vehicle has been parked up for any length of time it can take up to 40 seconds for system to pressure up.
 
I would agree with the others, old fluid, air in system, accumulator failing or just possibly pressure switch sticking.
 
Thanks for the help guys.

First thing for me to do here is change the fluid (because I do not know how old it is) and bleed the brakes.

After that, if I still get the problem, the pressure switch and then the accumulator.

Thanks again
 
Thanks for the help guys.

First thing for me to do here is change the fluid (because I do not know how old it is) and bleed the brakes.

After that, if I still get the problem, the pressure switch and then the accumulator.

Thanks again

I would go accumulator first as if it's leaking it will put Nitrogen into your new fluid, then bleed the brakes, it's cheaper and easier than the pressure switch.:) The accumulator will be due a change if it's original as the life expectancy is 10 years.
 
Thanks for the heads up Datatek.

Do you know how much brake fluid I need? RAVE doesn't seem to give the quantity.
 

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