GM-GMC: Power Steering Freezing, weather temps, gmc sierra

Question
Hi Alicia,
I have a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD w/Dura-Max Engine. We had a bit of cold weather, temps to 15F overnight. My wife tried to drive the truck and the power steering seemed to have failed along with the breaks. The truck has 75k on it. The truck had been plugged in. I tried it later that day and it was just like she said, "Not working." Today, I was going to take the truck to a mechanic to have the pump replaced. I pulled off the parking slab into the ally and then on to the street. All at once, it seemed to break free and I once again had power steering and breaks. Can you see if you can find anything in your stack of knowledge that might give me a better insight why this happened and how I can avoid this in the future. Thanks for your help. Dean

Answer
This is something that I would have to look further into but it sounds as if the power steering is going out. (probably the pump itself).

I would have no idea why your brakes would fail.

Definatly need to take it to a mechanic that is trusted.