will not run

ok .. i did a search.. so now i`m here ..this is for a buddy of mine he`s got a 84 ranger efi 4 banger.. and this is what it`s doing.. if he turns it over it would start but a soon as he lets the key go from cranking it dies so i said well try.. to pull the starter wire off after it fires..sure as soup. .it ran ..for a little bit then died.. he did all the normal stuff " it`s got gas.. power to coil..and so on" with out doing a pile or wire chasing ... is there somthing he should be looking for..if someone could help him out that would be great... JB