power steering in the cold

[back alley]

my car starts fine in the cold here in edmonton, but i have another problem - my power steering seems to be frozen. the steering is so stiff i can barely make a turn.the worst part is i can't check under the hood because it won't open. i don't know if the cable broke because of the cold or if the hood is just frozen shut.
there is no leak under the car so i assume the power steering fluid is still in there.
it does not improve with driving time or when the engine warms.
any ideas?
i've never had the power steering freeze in any car before.

[jpwmx3]

I would some how pop that hood and fill up the power steering fluid resevour. That's probably what's wrong.

[back alley]

so, i finally got the hood to open - had to pry it from it's frozen state.
there was no power steering fluid in it, so i filled it up and started the car. one of the hoses that looked attached was spurting fluid like crazy. i had to push it back on, very difficult at -28 c. refilled the res and now it seems to be working fine again.

[back alley]

ok, so the power steering is working but now it's making a strange sound. kind of a cross between a whine and a gurgle.
should i be worried? any ideas?
help is appreciated.

[mitmaks]

sounds like ur pump is toasted

[back alley]

well, i had to refill the res agian but it seems to be holding the fluid now. the noise is not gone but it's much quiter now.

is anyone listening?
thanks to jpw & mitmaks for the replies.

[mitmaks]

clean around reservoir and check for leaks after few days, let me know. Mine has leaks, not sure where, and it all gets greasy/dirty on reservoir and makes mess under it.

[back alley]

that was my plan.
i've already cleaned the res up good and will check the level for the next few weeks. i'm hoping it was just the loose connection.

[back alley]

the fluid is holding steady and the noise is completely gone.