Have a small 2 cycle tiller that won't run. will crank if squirt gas in cylinder but dies after 1-2 seconds. any ideas??

If you don't have a manual, could can read/download it at this link.
If the engine stalls under load, the mixture may be too lean. There should be a mixture screw on the carburetor. Note its position, and turn it counter-clockwise 1/8 of a turn to see if there is any improvement in engine performance. Repeat this but don't exceed about a half turn.
The tank has a vent and this should be kept vertical under the cylinder cover in the small "pocket" in the cylinder cover.
Lack of power can be caused by a dirty air filter or blocked muffler screen.

See the article below for troubleshooting 2-cycle engines
String Trimmer Won Work 2 Stroke Engine and Carburetor Troubleshooting

Remove the air filter and set aside.
Take a can of carburetor cleaner and spray the inside of the carburetor.
Let it set for a moment and then try starting the engine. It should run a few seconds. Repeat. When it starts squirt a small shot of cleaner in the carburetor to keep it running. That should remove the varnish the gas leaves as it evaporates over the winter.

If it still won't keep running then there is trash in the float bowl plugging the needle valve seat and the jets.

1) Turn off the gas or remove the gas line and plug it with a small screw or stick to keep it from leaking out of the gas tank.
2) Look on the bottom of the bowl for a nut .
3) Remove the nut and drop the float bowl.
4) Carefully remove the pin holding the float and needle valve assembly.
5) Take the carburetor cleaner with the straw it comes with and spray every hole in the carburetor to clean the jets . (up through the needle valve seat, down top of the carburetor , see a hole, spray it with the cleaner.)
6) Clean the float bowl.
7) Reassemble and make sure the gas isn't leaking and try to start it again.

disassemble the carb and see if the float valve is sticking. it should slide up and down very freely

If you look inside the gas tank, there is a small little gas filter attached to a small plastic tube.
Fish the gas filter out with a small wire.
Replace the filter with a new one.
Please let me know if that works.

Have you checked the spark plug and see if its clean and also check the fuel line and carburetor for clogs. And you can also check the air filter.

Hope you find this helpful.

Sounds like it's flooding either from over choking or the inlet needle in the carb is leaking. Have you removed the plug and blown out the cylinder and plug with air and then tried to restart? Be careful not to keep cranking with the choke pulled out. When it 'hits' ONE time, move the choke halfway in and crank again

If your tiller sat all winter it will need a little work. Drain all of the old fuel out of the tank, install a new spark plug and install a new air filter. Put new fuel in the tank [if you still have old fuel in your portable gas tank dump it into your car or truck so you start fresh for all of your small gas engines.

Now crank it over and it may start. If it doesn't start you need carbeurator cleaner. But an aerosol can of carb cleaner and put two squirts in the air intake [remove the new air filter and leave it off while you get the engine running]. Pull your cord, turninng the engine over and possibly starting it. If it starts, great. If not, let it sit for half hour while that carb. cleaner dissolves some of the gum built up in your carberator over the winter. Two more squirts of carb cleaner and try to start it again.
Generally it will start by now. If it doesn't start your carbeurator must be really dirty. You will have to remove it, and soak it in carb. cleaner for about three hours to clean it out.

Have you tried squirting gas into carburetor to see if it will keep running? If that keeps it running as long as you are squirting gas in it, your carb need to be cleaned out/repaired.

Your quickest fix for this problem is to simply replace the carburetor, a Zama K54A. Do it all the time. After that, if you can find a 2 cycle oil, Opti-2, it's the best you can use and it's a one mix for all your 2 cycle equipment (blowers, trimmers, chainsaws, etc.) It's the only 2 cycle I sell in my shop.

Check fuel filter and lines, if thay are good I would get a carb kit and set the adjustment screws at 1 turn out from lightley seated to start. Don't lean high speed screw too much.
You might check muffler & cylinder port for carbon first.