No, they're all controlled independently. I don't quite understand the theory of why the 2 intake flaps work but I know they're for optimizing the engine's power band and maybe also idle quality. From my observation the one in the crossover pipe starts to move and restrict air flow around 3000 RPM. The one in the intake manifold opens just over 1000 RPM. The EGR flap opens around 2000 RPM at light throttle and closes with higher RPM's and/or full throttle.

One other thing I recently did with the flap in my crossover pipe is loosen the blade and re-adjust it, then lube it again. I also re-lubed the others. It seems to have helped some more. I still get the occasional ping but you really have to listen for it and it's much better than it used to be. I'm sure higher-cetane fuel would help further. The cetane additive I use can only do so much.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL