Are the ice age and melting ice caps related

Yes, melting ice caps could potentially cause an ice age, at least in the northern hemisphere. The ocean currents that carry climate patterns around the world, such as the gulf stream are in a fairly delicate balance, and much of this movement has to do with the salt content of the water in the north atlantic. If the arctic cap were to melt, this fresh water would dilute the salt water to the extent that the gulf stream would come to a stop, thereby no longer bringing the warmer climates through from the tropics, and thereby seeing a freezing over of at least Europe. For a better explanation, see Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth.