96 xj power steering pump freezes up

[thinmints]

Ok its been really cold where i live and for some reason in the mornings when i start my rig i have to hold down on the gas pedal to get my power steering pump to work, any ideas why? i thought about taking it to those places that can flush your system. You can hear once the pump stars to work cause it makes a loud whining noise but after awhile it quiets down

any ideas Thanks

[danielsatur]

Flush and new fluid.

[fredjacksonsan]

Yup, it's likely there's some water in your fluid. A turkey baster works well for suctioning the old fluid out; you won't get it all, but repeat every couple of weeks until it's all new fluid.